Francis A. Roberts

VIRGINIA BEACH -- Capt. Francis A. “Frank” Roberts, U.S. Navy (Ret.), passed away on March 12, 2011. He was 63.

Frank was born on Sept. 1, 1947, in Chicago. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1969 and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy for 27 years. Over his career as a naval aviator, he logged more than 1,000 landings on nine aircraft carriers. He also earned the “Top Gun” award in 1975, commanded the VF-21 “Fighting Freelancers” F-14 squadron in San Diego, and served as Task Force 60 Watch Captain during the Gulf of Sidra incident in 1989.

Following his Navy career, Frank worked as a defense contractor for Battlespace, Inc., and for the Old Dominion University Research Foundation in support of U.S. Joint Forces Command. Most recently, he served as the executive director for the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance (HRMFFA).

Frank’s lifelong pursuit of education included a graduate degree from the Naval War College (1984), a master’s degree in education from ODU (1995), and a “mini MBA” from ODU (2010).

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Roberts, and his daughter, Andrea Roberts Gustafson. Survivors include his loving wife of 42 years, Joan Lindsay Roberts; son, Jim Roberts of Norfolk; son-in-law, Peter Gustafson, and two grandchildren, Reagan and Lucas Gustafson, all of Virginia Beach; and mother-in-law, Mary Lindsay, and brother-in-law, Douglas Lindsay, both of Gloucester.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Providence Presbyterian Church. Memorial donations may be made to the American Institute for Cancer Research, Dept. IHW1, 1759 R Street NW, Washington, DC, 20009.

Friends may offer condolences at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com.