Frank P. Worts, former lecturer in the College of General Studies (now LPS) at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts and Sciences, died August 9 of cancer at his home in Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania. He was 78.

Born in Audubon Park, he graduated from Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Mount St. Mary’s College followed by a master’s degree in 1963 in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. While in Italy, he was ordained a Catholic priest. He was part of a cohort of activists who channeled their spirituality into community organizing in Camden County, New Jersey.

Dr. Worts served as the associate supervisor of Catholic Social Services in Camden County while earning a master’s degree in social work from Penn in 1972. He left the priesthood in the early 1970s.

He taught in Temple University’s School of Social Administration and at Arcadia University in Glenside before coming to Penn in 1979. He served as a lecturer in physical medicine and rehabilitation in the CGS master’s degree program in social gerontology. Dr. Worts left Penn in 1993.

From 1993 until June 2020, Dr. Worts served as an assistant professor and lecturer in Lincoln University’s human services department. He directed Lincoln’s continuing education program and, in tandem with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center on Aging, developed and arranged computer training courses for 650 older people and professionals employed in health and human services. At Lincoln, he also served as the research coordinator and director of the Interdisciplinary Center and had roles in both the bachelor’s and the master’s human services programs.

In 2014, he completed a doctorate in educational technology from the online Walden University. His next project was co-developing a pioneering in-home service program for older adults in Philadelphia.

One of Dr. Worts’ achievements was as a co-creator of early in-home service programs for older adults administered by the Philadelphia Geriatric Center and the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, his family said in a statement. They noted that the programs facilitate food, transportation, and homemaker services for senior citizens. He was a board member of Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues and Unitarian Universalist House Outreach.

Dr. Worts is survived by his wife, Avalie Saperstein; son, Terence; a brother; and nieces. Plans for services are pending.

---

To Report A Death

Almanac appreciates being informed of the deaths of current and former faculty and staff members, students and other members of the University community. Call (215) 898-5274 or email almanac@upenn.edu

However, notices of alumni deaths should be directed to the Alumni Records Office at Suite 300, 2929 Walnut St., (215) 898-8136 or email record@ben.dev.upenn.edu