Francis was known as “Bud” to both friends and family. He was born on 5 December 1916 in Baldwin, Kansas.
Bud attended Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas for two years. During that time he played football for the Baker University Wildcats. He then transferred to Kansas University and graduated on 10 June 1940 with a degree in mechanical engineering with an aeronautical engineering option.
Bud was married to June Lavelle Ulm in Lawrence, Kansas on 12 June 1940. Bud and June’s month long honeymoon ended in San Diego, where they quickly decided to settle and pursue the California dream. The area’s attributes must have been very intoxicating – the weather, nearby ocean beaches, friendly natives and, with WWII in the offing, the availability of aeronautical engineering jobs. There they raised four wonderful children -- Steven, Frances, Bruce and Jeff.
Bud got his first job with Consolidated Aircraft, San Diego in 1940. He worked at several other aeronautical companies over the years, including Bill Jack Scientific Instrument Co, Rohr Aircraft and General Dynamics. The majority of his career was with General Dynamics and, during the last ten years of his tenure with GD, he was in the electronics division of the Atlas Missile project. Bud retired from General Dynamics in December 1981, capping a 41 year career in aeronautics.
Bud’s activities in his retirement included being a eucharistic minister in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where he would frequently bring communion to sick or disabled parishioners. He loved his football and basketball games, both watching pro games on TV and attending games at the nearby San Diego State College. He also loved his gardening and he played a mean game of Crazy Bridge.
Bud passed away in San Diego on 17 August 1997.