Dr. Norman C. Francis, 98, a physicist who helped design propulsion systems for submarines with nuclear energy during his 39-year career at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in New York, passed away Jan. 28, 2021, in Denver.
Rabbi Joe Black led the Jan. 31 memorial service. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Norman will be remembered for his contentment, humility and decency; his wry, self-deprecating humor; and his love of family and country,” the family said.
Dr. Francis was born in 1922 in Rochester, NY, to Jennie (Levy) and Morris Francis.
Quite athletic in his youth, he graduated with a BA in physics from the University of Rochester in 1946 and a PhD, also in physics, in 1952.
He joined the US Navy in June, 1944, and served in the Pacific and New Orleans as an electronics technician’s mate on a repair ship, the USS Tutuila. He continued his education on the GI bill.
Dr. Francis, who taught quantum mechanics as a postdoctoral fellow at Indiana University, would work until 2 a.m. on the design of particle accelerators.
He met Beverly Cohen, his wife of 73 years, on New Year’s Day 77 years ago.
In 1960, Dr. Francis became an adjunct professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a position he continued into his late 80s.
A fellow of the American Nuclear Society, he was on the board of Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady, NY.
Dr. Francis and his wife came to Denver four years ago to be closer to family.
Norman C. Francis is survived by his wife Beverly; daughters Cynthia “Cindy (Joe) Gensheimer, Karen (Dave) Maher and Martha (Mark) Fischer; grandchildren Michael Gensheimer (Eunpi Cho), Lydia (Jeff) Hoffman, Juliana Gensheimer, Sarah (Jacob) Pecor, Charles Maher, Jacob Fischer and Gregory Fischer; and five great-grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Ave., Schenectady, NY 12309; or the Norman C. Francis Award, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Gift Processing Center, POB 3164, Boston, MA 02241.
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