Francis R. Dietz

Francis R. “Frank” Dietz, of Seekonk, MA and Hobe Sound, FL, died peacefully on Friday, July 23, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was 81 years old. 

Born to the late Herman and Ruth (Chippendale) Dietz, Frank grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island where he attended St. Leo the Great School and St. Raphael Academy. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Providence College and a MBA from the University of Rhode Island.

Frank dedicated his professional career to advancing health care for residents of the Blackstone Valley and State of Rhode Island.  Serving as President and CEO of Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island for 47 years, he led the transformation of the Hospital’s scope of medical services and facilities over four decades and was the longest serving CEO of any hospital in the United States at the time of his retirement.  His vision for advancing medical research and academic teaching led to Memorial Hospital becoming the area’s leader in primary care, serving as the home for the Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School’s Family Medicine program, and leading nationally-renown research initiatives the Pawtucket Heart Health Program and the Women’s Health Initiative. 

Frank’s industry and community volunteer service included the Pawtucket Rotary Club and the Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club, while also serving on the governing boards of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island and the Pawtucket Foundation.

In recognition of his years of leadership, service and dedication to the health care industry and the City of Pawtucket, Frank is honored annually by the Hospital Association of Rhode Island through the Francis R. Dietz Award for Public Service, received the Pawtucket Foundation Heritage Award in 2007, and was inducted into the City of Pawtucket Hall of Fame in 1992.

Frank had a great love for the game of golf, enjoying many, many rounds with friends and family as a member of Wannamoisett Country Club for over 50 years and Loblolly in Hobe Sound, FL for 25 years.   

He was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner of St. Margaret Church in Rumford and St. Christopher Church in Hobe Sound, FL. 

The most important thing in the world to Frank was his family. His tremendous love and intense focus on the well-being and happiness of his children’s and grandchildren’s lives was abundantly clear to all as it was always a topic of conversation.  His priority was spending time together, and he cherished all the family gatherings, vacations and celebrations over the years both locally and at his home in Florida.

Frank is widely and fondly known as a truly great individual who was always there to provide help and advice.  He was deeply committed to his community and his extended family of Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.

Frank is survived by his son, F. Richard Dietz, Jr. and his wife Eliza BW Dietz, daughter Beth-Ann F. (Dietz) Norko and husband John, all of North Attleboro, MA; his brother John Dietz and his wife Carol Dietz of Greenwich, CT; grandchildren Benjamin F Dietz and his wife Katelyn (DeBlois) Dietz and  great grandchild Logan David Dietz of Sharon, MA; Bayley A (Dietz) Markopoulos and her husband Adam Markopoulos of Norwood, MA; Eliza A Dietz of Boston, MA; John G Norko Jr., Nickolas R Norko, Kristina A Norko, and Elizabeth A Norko, all of North Attleboro, MA; and seven nieces and nephews. 

He was the father of the late David T Dietz and brother of the late Jane (Dietz) Khouri and Sr. Maureen Dietz, RSM.

His Funeral will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at 9:30AM from the COSTIGAN-O’NEILL FUNERAL HOME, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11AM at St. Margaret Church, 1098 Pawtucket Ave, Rumford. Interment will take place at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 30, 2021, from 4-8PM.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to Hope Health Hospice, 1085 N. Main Street, Providence RI, 02904, are greatly appreciated.