Raymond Francis, 86, by Chesapike – Wydaily

The 86 -year -old Raymond Francis died at his home in Chesapike on January 24, 2025 with his faithful dog “Rud” next to him. Francis is a native of New Jersey and lived in Chesapik, Virginia and Columbus, Ohio.

Francis was the owner of the Tidewater prosthetic center in Norfolk, Virginia, where he has been working for more than 30 years. He also worked as a prosthetist at the Willow Wood company in Ohio in MT Sterling, Ohio after his retirement from Tidewater.

His dedication to help amputated to regain full mobility was well known, especially within the military community, where he specializes in supporting our country’s most elite warriors to return to service. He contributed to innovative ideas for the prosthesis industry and often provides free care for wounded warriors, like his father William Francis, made during World War II for wounded soldiers.

Francis was just as passionate about the general aviation and was a lifetime member of the civilian air patrol, where he rose to a lieutenant colonel. It serves with great dedication to both Virginia’s commands and Ohio Wing, and staff positions in the levels of the squadron, group and wing. He was also a commander of the pilot, commander of incidents, aircraft maintenance employee, a safety employee, and serves as an instructor for countless cadet pilots for more than 50 years of membership.

He has won numerous awards and decorations, including to be presented to the FAA Wright Brothers General Award in 2018. This award recognizes pilots who have conducted 50 years or more safe flight operations.

Known as a demanding instructor, hundreds of people have learned to fly with him as their teacher and he has never charged his services.

He survived by countless friends, patients, students and colleagues in the medical community, the armed forces and the flying community. His dedication to his friends was incomparable and he left a huge hole for all who loved him.

Memory service will be held at 15:00 on February 15, 2025 at the Altmeyer Funeral House in Virginia Beach and will be held a funeral liturgy at 11:30 am on March 1, 2025 at the Catholic Church of St. Cecilia in the Catholic Church Columbus, Ohio.

In his memory, please be generous with your friends, love innocent animals and fly safely.

The condolences can be left online here.