Having discovered Rhode Island during his naval service, Warren Francis went straight to Rhode Island Hospital in 1952 for his surgical residency. And Rhode Island discovered him as he became a skilled practitioner of general and vascular surgery.
Warren served as the hospital’s president of the staff and chairman of the executive and medical affairs committees. Brown University’s Program in Medicine tapped him to be clinical associate professor of surgery. The governor of Rhode Island named Warren State Police Division surgeon and later, by bestowing the Col. Everitte St. John Chaffee Award, added formal recognition for outstanding service.
A devoted Tiger, Warren served as president of the Princeton Alumni Association of Rhode Island and, for many years, as chairman of its schools committee.
At the time of his death, Oct. 3, 2012, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s, Warren was survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Constance Anne Kuhl; daughter Linda F. Knights ’77; sons Warren Jr. and Douglas K.; and seven grandchildren, including Owen Knights ’14, who plays on the orange-and-black varsity lacrosse team. The class shares with all of them the sorrow of losing this skilled and devoted aide.