Plan for the Future
Richard H Francis, 92 died peacefully on May 24, 2024.
Born in Allentown, PA he lived in Short Hills, NJ since 1968 after moving from Pittsburgh, PA. A service will be held on Wednesday, June 12, at 11am at the Short Hills Community Congregational Church, 200 Hartshorn Dr, Short Hills, NJ. A gathering will follow at the Short Hills Club, 9 Lake Shore Dr., Short Hills.
He was married to Gislina (Lolo) Jonsdottir of Iceland, from 1956 until his death. He is survived by his wife, Lolo; a daughter, Lori Saul (Christopher) of Chatham, NJ; five grandchildren. A daughter, Lynn Delade died in 2015.
He graduated from Lehigh University in 1954, where he remained active for many years having served on the Alumni Board, Development Committee and Investment Committee.
After graduation from Lehigh, Mr. Francis served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. While stationed in Germany he met his wife of 66 years in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In 1956 he joined Westinghouse Electric in Pittsburgh and in 1958, Westinghouse Air Brake where he became treasurer. In 1968 he became Treasurer of American Standard Inc. as a result of a merger of the two firms and in 1983 became Chief Financial Officer. In 1982 he attended Harvard’s Advanced Management Program.
Mr. Francis joined Pan American in 1988 as its Executive VP & CFO. He retired in 1991 after Pan Am was sold to Delta.
He was a member of the Short Hills Club and the Harvard Club of NYC. He served in various capacities at Community Congregational Church including Church chairman; Christopher Reeve Foundation as Chairman of Executive Committee; Trustee with Greenwood Gardens; Director of New Eyes for the Needy; Director of: Allendale Insurance Company and Credit Suisse Mutual Funds.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Community Congregational Church.
