Francis Michael Jungfleisch passed quickly and quietly while at home on December 8, 2007. Francis was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 11th, 1940.

 Francis was born to Lydia C. Ransil and Frank M. Yungfleisch and was part of a very large family with eleven brothers and sisters.   Francis was known as “Butch” to his close family and friends.  Under his father’s forgiving and ongoing love and tutelage, Francis learned and always upheld values such as integrity, hard work, honesty, spirituality and pure devotion toward his family.  Francis was forever grateful and loving, and never let go of these values.

 Francis attended Holy Family Catholic High School in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated Valedictorian.  He went on to achieve a Masters degree in Chemistry from Ohio State University in Columbus.  Francis then married his lifetime friend and love, Patricia S. Jungfleisch on September 22, 1963.  Francis and Patricia traveled the country as Francis earned his rank to Captain as a navigator for the United States Air Force.   They adopted their only two sons, Matthew and Kevin when Francis was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington.

 The family relocated back to Columbus, Ohio where Francis completed his PhD in Chemistry at Ohio State University.   The family then lived in Wilmington, Delaware and St. Louis, Missouri while Francis worked in chemical instrumentation with the Dupont Corporation. The family relocated to Richland, Washington in 1977 where Francis and Patricia resided throughout the rest of their lives.  While working as a Senior Scientist at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Francis developed several chemical analysis patents that are still used by scientists to this day.  His final position prior to retirement was president of the Chemchek Instruments Corporation where he enjoyed his many travels to Europe, the Middle East, and throughout North America.

 Francis was instrumental in helping his wife, Patricia, achieve her baccalaureate degree in social work from the University of Washington and her MSW from Walla Walla College.  He also spent much time and dedication to his wife’s community work in social work.  Combined, their work combined made a lasting impression in helping to lead foster children toward eventual successful lives in the Tri-Cities community.

Throughout his life and into his retirement, Francis devoted his life and love to his wife and children and to their successful development. His immeasurable and incredible intellect drove his goals, values and a certain stubbornness in his approaches. Our planet would be a much better place if society held similar values overall. After Patricia’s death on April 30, 2005, Francis never felt as comfortable living on earth due to his unrelenting love, friendship and adoration towards her. Throughout the remainder of his life, he dedicated his time and energy to love and support his immediate family.

Francis is survived by his sons, Matthew and Kevin, their wives, Sherrie and Kelly, and by his granddaughter, Alison. Lord, accept this great and intellectual man to your kingdom, where he can live eternally with his wife and love, Patricia.