Francis L. Rose

WILLIAMSBURG - Dr. Francis L. Rose, 71, departed this life Saturday, May 18, 2002, in the Medical College of Virginia Hospital in Richmond, Va. He was born August 13, 1930, in North Platte, NE. A resident of Williamsburg for 26 years, he is survived by his wife of almost 51 years, Shirley Koch Rose; two sons, Michael T. Rose and wife, Jeannine, of Brentwood, TN, and Theodore J. Rose and wife, Holly, of Sparta, NJ; a daughter, Kathryn Rose Kaoudis, and husband, Nicholas, of Williamsburg, VA; and eight grandchildren, Michael, Coleman and Christopher Rose of Brentwood, TN, Jason, Chelsea and Caroline Rose of Sparta, NJ, and Kelly and Michael Kaoudis of Williamsburg, VA. Dr. Rose earned a B.A. at Nebraska State Teacher's College-Peru, NE, in 1953, a M.S. at Omaha University-Omaha, NE, in 1958, and a Ph.D. at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE, in 1965. He served in the Nebraska National Guard from 1947-1953 and in the Army Reserves from 1953-1963, earning the rank of First Lieutenant. Dr. Rose began his career as an English teacher and athletic coach in Bellvue, NE. He instructed for five years as an Assistant Professor of English and Journalism at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, NE. He served for three years as Chairman and Associate Professor of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. For two years after that time, he was Director of the Job Corps Training Center for Women in Charleston, WV. From 1969-1977, he was Director of Educational Programs for RCA in Cherry Hill, NJ, managing Job Corps Centers and other training programs worldwide. In 1977, he became Special Assistant to the Commandant/Educational Advisor at the US Army Transportation School, Ft. Eustis, VA, serving as the senior advisor on education and training within the US Army Transportation Corps. After that time, he worked as a consultant and business advisor to government contractors. Dr. Rose enjoyed family, Nebraska football, running, woodworking and country music throughout his life. He had a passion for excellence in education and journalism, and served on the White House Commission for Educational Excellence for President Lyndon Johnson and the Save the Children Commission. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi, Sigma Tau Delta, and Pi Delta Epsilon honorary and social fraternities, and participated in Rotary for many years. He will be remembered for his laughter and love of life. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Woodholme Medical Building, Suite 515; 1838 Greene Tree Road; Baltimore, MD 21208, or to the Thomas Hospice Palliative Care Unit at Medical College of Virginia Hospital, PO Box 2510, Midlothian, VA 23113. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA, on Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. Arrangements by Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg.