Dr. Francis Burke Leftwich

LEFTWICH, Dr. Francis Burke, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away at the age of 76, on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Born October 4, 1933 in Glen Allen, with roots in Bedford County, Virginia, Dr. Leftwich was fondly known as "Doc" and "Papa" to his many loved ones.

He was the youngest of five brothers, one sister, and the son of late Charles Beverly Leftwich and Lucille Gallion Leftwich. Dr. Leftwich graduated with a B.A. from the University of Richmond in 1956, and received a Masters of Science from the same institution in 1958. He received a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1963. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers University, he accepted an appointment at the University of Richmond where he taught Biology and Endocrinology from 1964 to his retirement in 1996.

From 1985 to 1996, Dr. Leftwich served as the Chair of the Biology Department at the University of Richmond during which time he oversaw the design and construction of the original Gottwald Science Center in 1978. At the re-dedication of the Science Center in 2006, a pre-med counseling center was named in his honor. In 1976, Dr. Leftwich received the University of Richmond's distinguished educator award. He was elected president of the Virginia Academy of Science in 1984.

An avid fisherman, gardener, and scholar, Dr. Leftwich developed long-lasting friendships in both his native Richmond, and in Deltaville, Virginia. Dr. Leftwich developed roots in Deltaville in the early 1940's when he and his family built a home on the Rappahannock River. These roots continued when he and his wife established their own home on Sturgeon Creek following his retirement. He will be remembered for his love, loyalty, and playful sense of humor.

Dr. Leftwich is survived by his wife, Frances Stallard Leftwich; four daughters and their families, Dr. Julie Leftwich Beales and the Honorable Randolph Allen Beales, Randolph Allen Beales Jr., Francis Burke Leftwich Beales, Caroline Caruthers Beales, Elizabeth Annette Beales, and Grace Gallion Beales, Amy Leftwich Moore and Frank Hullihen Moore, David Austin Ziletti, Frank McKiernan Ziletti, and Iain Thorn Moore, Sarah Leftwich Branch, and Brian Wayne Branch, Aidan Grey Leftwich Branch, Brennan Francis Leftwich Branch, and Norah Louise Leftwich Branch, Kathryn Leftwich Muir and John Kenneth Muir, and Joel Kenneth Muir. He is also survived by a sister, Caroline Hodgskin of Orlando, Florida.

The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road. A memorial service will be held at Cannon Memorial Chapel on the Campus of University of Richmond at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 followed by burial at Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Contributions in Dr. Leftwich's name may be sent to the Biology Department at the University of Richmond, to help foster the love of learning in the pursuit of higher education and in support of all future scientists. Condolences may be offered at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com