Richard Francis, age 90, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026. He was born on May 30, 1935, in Stockton, California, to Earle Joseph Francis and Emma Elizabeth Francis.

Richard graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1958. After completing ROTC, he entered the United States Air Force, where he proudly served as a pilot, flying the F-4 Phantom fighter aircraft. During his 20 years of honorable military service, he earned a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma in Radiated Heat Transfer and Nuclear Propulsion and flew fighter planes in Vietnam. Due to his Air Force career, Richard and his family lived in eight states before retiring.

After retiring from the Air Force, Richard began a second career as an engineer with Hughes Aircraft, where he worked for another 20 years.

In 1960, Richard married Barbara Sue Clift. They shared a devoted and loving marriage for 65 years and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in August of 2025. Together they raised four children. They retired and settled in Bella Vista, Arkansas, in 2007.

Known affectionately as "Dick" by family and friends, Richard had a lifelong passion for music. He loved to sing and performed in men's chorus and Barbershop quartets, entertaining audiences of thousands. He also sang in Presbyterian church choirs in both California and Bella Vista, Arkansas, combining his love of music with his deep faith.

Richard enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, including fishing, hunting, golf, crossword puzzles, gold panning, and jigsaw puzzles. He was known for his curiosity, patience, and quiet determination.

Richard will be remembered for his service to his country, his love of learning and music, his devotion to family, and a life well and fully lived.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sue Galvez.

Richard is survived by his wife, Barbara Francis; daughter, Allison Hickey; grandchildren, Brianna Kelley and Christian Hickey of Ponder, Texas; daughter, Deborah Solbrig; grandchildren, Mason Solbrig, Dalton Solbring, and Brodie Solbrig of Lindenhurst, Illinois; son, Tony Francis; grandchild, Tristen Francis of Bella Vista, Arkansas; and daughter, Trinity Francis of Bella Vista, Arkansas.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Bella Vista Presbyterian Church, 1880 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715.

Memorials may be made to the Bella Vista Men's Chorus, 73 Cullen Hills Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72715, or to Bella Vista Presbyterian Church.