ROBERT FRANCIS II

ROBERT T. FRANCIS, II  
The Honorable Robert T. Francis II, former vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board and internationally respected aviation safety expert, passed away April 17, 2021, in Alexandria, VA. He was 83. President Bill Clinton appointed Bob NTSB vice chairman in 1995. During his term, he led several major aviation investigations, including the 1996 ValuJet crash in the Everglades and the inflight explosion of TWA Flight 800 shortly after takeoff from New York's JFK International Airport.  Bob was born in Pittsfield, Mass., and grew up in Cohasset, Mass., where he acquired his life-long love of sailing and skiing. He graduated from Williams College in Williamstown, MA, and then entered into a life of civil service. A private pilot, Bob began his professional aviation career at the Federal Aviation Administration, rising to several senior positions, including senior representative in Western Europe and North Africa based in Paris. During his FAA years, he worked to improve international aviation safety through increased collaboration with aviation safety experts throughout the world. Bob held positions in many international organizations, including the Flight Safety Foundation, the International Aviation Club and the Royal Aeronautical Society, where he was an original founder and later chairman of the society's DC branch. He also received a number of awards and citations throughout his career, culminating in his becoming the 2000 recipient of the L. Welch Pogue Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aviation. Following his civil career, Bob joined Washington, DC-based consulting firm Farragut International as executive VP.  A lifelong sports fan, Bob was an avid follower of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. He leaves behind his wife of more than 50 years, two daughters, a son-in-law and two grandchildren. There are no services. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Jimmy Fund.