| [Write-up from
2009, photo from
2002]
Born: January 27, 1943,
Lancaster, PA. College: Yale University, B.A., Physics, 1964; Harvard
University, M.A., Physics, 1968; Harvard University, Ph.D., Physics, 1970. Married:
Roberta Louise Williams, June 5, 1965; Dickinson College, B.A., 1964; Boston
University, M.A., 1965. Children: Erika Lynne Francis, Christopher
Samuel Francis.
Grandchildren: Emma (b. 2006) and Marin (b. 2009).
Occupation: Consultant to the Department of
Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, after
retiring in 1998 as Engineering Vice President, Bell Laboratories. Military
Service: U.S. Navy 1964-1966, Lieutenant.
Observations on Life and Times
The professional chronology is simple: after Yale, sea duty in the Navy
(nuclear-powered destroyer) for 2 years; Harvard graduate school (physics)
for 4 years; research and development at Bell Laboratories for 27 years,
ending as vice president of something or other; retirement in 1998;
free-lance website development for 5 years (still messing about with
www.chathamemergencysquad.org,
www.yale64.org,
www.franciscruises.net);
currently consulting half-time with the Science and Technology Directorate
of the Department of Homeland Security in DC. Also volunteering with the
Chatham Emergency Squad (EMT, President, Computer Systems Manager, and former Captain).
The Homeland Security gig included an educable
moment which may be of interest. I was nominated in 2003 to be the first Director of Advanced Research at the
new Department of Homeland Security, but the White House quashed the appointment after they discovered during
my interview that I hadn't
voted for George W. Bush in 2000. (I kid you not.) So I turned to consulting for the same outfit, and
have had fun with that since 2004.
My
wife Bobbie, children Erika and Christopher, and granddaughters Emma and
Marin, are the best. I live in a great house in a great community. I’ve
sailed across the Atlantic in a small boat. I've run the NYC Marathon twice,
once with each kid. I've biked 3300 miles from coast to coast. And I go
sailing somewhere in the world each year (see
www.franciscruises.net). Life is
good.
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