Francis D. Bettinger
January 25, 1934 ~ April 18, 2015
Col. Francis "Frank" D. Bettinger USA (RET) of Remington, VA passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, April 18, 2015, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 81 years old.
Born in Dayton, OH, January 25, 1934, Frank graduated from Christian Brother Academy and received his Bachelor's degree from University of Nebraska. Frank served his country honorably in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret with tours in Vietnam as well as stations in Germany and the U.S. Some of those stations included Fort Benning, Ft. Knox, KY, The Pentagon, Huntsville, AL and Fort Monroe, VA. He also graduated from National War College.
He was a highly decorated military soldier retiring as a full Colonel. Among his accomplishments, he received numerous medals, some of which included the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal. He also attended the Army and General Staff College. However, his most outstanding accomplishment was as father, protector, provider, advisor and friend.
Frank was an avid golfer. He competed in several tournaments such as the Congressional Pro-Am and took great pride in shooting a hole-in-one during his time. He loved to box and even played football for Boston College, before enlisting in the Army.
An astute business man, after retiring from the Army as a Colonel, he began his public sector career with Hay Corporation. Later he would work for EER, a defense contractor, eventually starting his own company, The Culpeper Veterans Association.
Frank was a charitable and philanthropic citizen, supporting his beloved church and organizations such as Catholic Charities, Boys Town, and Fisher House, to name a few.
He is remembered for his sharp wit, wonderful sense of humor and a wry smile that usually followed his best jokes.
Also a lover of animals, Frank was comforted by his favorite cat, Daisy in his final days. Throughout his life, he would be blessed by a very large collection of horses, dogs, cats and even a black duck, aptly named, Black Duck. The animals were passed off as gifts for his children and grandchildren but it was clear, Frank was truly the one who couldn't turn away an animal in need of a home. Frank provided unselfishly not only for his animal friends and his family but also for his fellow man.
The network of treasured friends Frank leaves behind is vast. He is survived by his loving wife, Denise and two daughters, Kathleen Bettinger and Lisa Bettinger-Buckingham, as well as five grandchildren; Jason, Jennifer, Jessica, Joseph and Andrew.
A wake will be held for Frank on Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 2:00 PM 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM 8:00 PM at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA 22180
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 11:30 AM at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd., Vienna, VA. Frank will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Condolences sent in the form of flowers to the funeral home for the wake are welcomed, however donations to Frank's favorite charities in his name would be most appreciated. Those charities are:
Fisher House
www.fisherhouse.org
Heartland House Hospice
www.heartlandhouse.com
Please join the family for refreshments and fellowship following the Mass at:
International Country Club
13200 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway
Fairfax, VA
(children are welcome to join)
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Born in Dayton, OH, January 25, 1934, Frank graduated from Christian Brother Academy and received his Bachelor's degree from University of Nebraska. Frank served his country honorably in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret with tours in Vietnam as well as stations in Germany and the U.S. Some of those stations included Fort Benning, Ft. Knox, KY, The Pentagon, Huntsville, AL and Fort Monroe, VA. He also graduated from National War College.
He was a highly decorated military soldier retiring as a full Colonel. Among his accomplishments, he received numerous medals, some of which included the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal. He also attended the Army and General Staff College. However, his most outstanding accomplishment was as father, protector, provider, advisor and friend.
Frank was an avid golfer. He competed in several tournaments such as the Congressional Pro-Am and took great pride in shooting a hole-in-one during his time. He loved to box and even played football for Boston College, before enlisting in the Army.
An astute business man, after retiring from the Army as a Colonel, he began his public sector career with Hay Corporation. Later he would work for EER, a defense contractor, eventually starting his own company, The Culpeper Veterans Association.
Frank was a charitable and philanthropic citizen, supporting his beloved church and organizations such as Catholic Charities, Boys Town, and Fisher House, to name a few.
He is remembered for his sharp wit, wonderful sense of humor and a wry smile that usually followed his best jokes.
Also a lover of animals, Frank was comforted by his favorite cat, Daisy in his final days. Throughout his life, he would be blessed by a very large collection of horses, dogs, cats and even a black duck, aptly named, Black Duck. The animals were passed off as gifts for his children and grandchildren but it was clear, Frank was truly the one who couldn't turn away an animal in need of a home. Frank provided unselfishly not only for his animal friends and his family but also for his fellow man.
The network of treasured friends Frank leaves behind is vast. He is survived by his loving wife, Denise and two daughters, Kathleen Bettinger and Lisa Bettinger-Buckingham, as well as five grandchildren; Jason, Jennifer, Jessica, Joseph and Andrew.
A wake will be held for Frank on Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 2:00 PM 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM 8:00 PM at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA 22180
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 11:30 AM at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd., Vienna, VA. Frank will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Condolences sent in the form of flowers to the funeral home for the wake are welcomed, however donations to Frank's favorite charities in his name would be most appreciated. Those charities are:
Fisher House
www.fisherhouse.org
Heartland House Hospice
www.heartlandhouse.com
Please join the family for refreshments and fellowship following the Mass at:
International Country Club
13200 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway
Fairfax, VA
(children are welcome to join)
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Lisa and Family-I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. May the happy memories of your Dad help you through this painful time.
Absolutely wonderful person to work for and a very kind-hearted man! You will be missed here on Earth, Frank…
Lisa: Shawn and I have you and your family in our hearts and prayers. Karen & Shawn
Though I only was in your presence twice, from knowing your daughters, I could tell what a profoundly positive influence you were on them. I can only imagine how your positive influence has touched the community, but I have no doubt your influence has been immense. You have accomplished what I still aspire to accomplish: setting the best example for my girls, and others, to follow. I am honored to have met you and feel privileged to know your family. Thank you for giving the world such wonderful daughters. Your legacy continues, through them and their children, never to end. See you again one day in Fiddlers Green.
Lisa and family, sorry for your loss you are in our thoughts and prayers.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lisa’s father Francis. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We are so sorry for your loss. We feel honored to have met Frank – he was a wonderful man. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Lydia, Scott and Tate Hamburg
My office had the good fortune of sharing office space and working with Frank several years ago. I was honored to be involved in a VA presentation with Frank and his team in Richmond years ago, he was so magnanimous and giving and made the whole team feel so qualified and special. I finally worked up the nerve one day to tell him that I called him “Frank-Bunny-Cane” because he had this marvelous cane with a rabbit head he used. He was just a wonderful man and I am glad I got to work with him. My deep condolences to Frank’s family.
Denise, Kathleen & LIsa, Thank you for all the years you shared Frank with us here in Huntsville, AL. Frank was an amazing man. He just kept going. He was witty. He made us laugh on many occasions. He was kind. He loved his family. We are sorry for your loss. Nancy (employee) and Wes Plemons
On behalf of the Army Otter Caribou Association and ourselves, we extend our most heartfelt sympathies on the passing of Frank. We offer the “Wings of Friendship” in respect and honor for his life of service, courage and leadership to his family and friends. CW4 Paul and Marliese Herrick (Ret), 18th Av Co 1964-65, Past President AOCA 1993-94