Obituaries

AASHTO Journal - Former AASHTO Executive Director Dies

"He assumed the duties as AASHTO’s executive director at a time when the association faced new and daunting challenges with respect to maintaining the nation’s multi-modal transportation network. During his nearly 20-year tenure as AASHTO executive director, Francois reasserted the association as the premier technical organization for adopting and issuing highway standards and specifications. He also strengthened its role with respect to setting national transportation policy for all modes and further cultivated its involvement in international activities."

Engineering News Record - Former AASHTO Executive Director Frank Francois, 87, Dies

"...he was an important player in the Washington, D.C., debates over transportation policy. He helped marshal state departments of transportation activities to push for several major highway and transit bills, capped by the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, or TEA-21."

Progressive Railroading - In Memoriam, Former AASHTO Leader Francois

Capital Gazette/Bowie Blade News - Obituary (Legacy.com)

Washington Post - Death Notice/Obituary (Legacy.com)

Published in Sunday, February 21, 2021 print edition of Washington Post, Page C13

Iowa State University, College of Engineering News - Iowa Roots Shaped Late Alum's Career

"Though much of Francis B. Francois’ career took place outside of Iowa, it seems that the general engineering graduate never forgot about his Iowa roots. ... He was an active student during his time on campus, participating in a handful of engineering and non-engineering activities. He was a member of the student chapters of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (AMSE), the Society of Industrial Engineers, the General Engineering Society and the Engineering Council. He also pledged to the Gamma Epsilon Sigma honorary, was active in various musical activities, served on the Board of Control for the campus radio station KMRI, and was even a member of the Friley Hall Camera Club.”