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Celebrating the life of Frank Spencer Royal, Sr., M.D.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 2026
WHEREAS, Frank Spencer Royal, Sr., M.D., a distinguished leader in health care and higher education who guided Meharry Medical College in Tennessee through a period of transformational growth and later served as the longtime chair of the Virginia Union University Board of Trustees, died on February 2, 2026; and
WHEREAS, a native of Lynchburg, Frank Royal attended local public schools, then earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Union University in Richmond; he subsequently received a medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and remained a loyal alumnus of both institutions throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, Frank Royal was highly admired in the health care sector at the state and national levels and was selected as board chair and later president of the National Medical Association, the largest and oldest organization representing Black health care professionals in the country; and
WHEREAS, Frank Royal served as chair of the Meharry Medical College Board of Trustees for 30 years, guiding a $127.5 million campaign to strengthen infrastructure and academic programs; he spent another three decades as the chair of the Virginia Union University Board of Trustees, providing exceptional leadership that fueled expansion and advanced the institution's mission; and
WHEREAS, Frank Royal touched countless lives in Richmond through his broad and impactful civic engagement and meaningful philanthropic efforts, which included the establishment of the Pamela and Frank S. Royal, Sr., Endowed Scholarship and the Royal Society at Meharry Medical College; and
WHEREAS, over the course of his career, Frank Royal also worked in the corporate sector as a director for Best Products, Chesapeake Corporation, Smithfield Foods, Dominion Energy, HCA Healthcare, SunTrust Banks, and CSX Corporation, demonstrating his visionary leadership and breadth of business expertise; and
WHEREAS, Frank Royal will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife, Pamela; his children, Pamela, Karen, and Frank, Jr., and their families; his twin brother, Harry; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Frank Spencer Royal, Sr., M.D., a respected leader in health care and an esteemed member of the Richmond community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Frank Spencer Royal, Sr., M.D., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.