Frank S. Royal Sr., a physician and civic leader who spent decades serving Richmond’s African American community and medical institutions, died peacefully in his sleep Monday at age 86.

A Lynchburg native, Royal served on VUU’s Board of Trustees for 40 years and chaired it from 1982 to 2011. He also chaired the National Medical Association’s board and later served as its president.

“He’s just always been a light to so many people,” said Royal’s daughter Karen Royal Love, who said people share stories of her father’s work when they recognize her middle name.

Royal was born Sept. 15, 1939, to Harry and Hazel Royal, the youngest of twin brothers. He graduated from Virginia Union University before earning his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.

In Richmond, Royal became known as a skilled and compassionate physician. He and Leonard Edloe started practicing around the same time and both worked with Richmond Community Hospital. 

“It was difficult at times, but we were always after the same thing, and that was the betterment of the community,” Edloe said. 

Royal played a major role in relocating Richmond Community Hospital from Overbrook Road to Church Hill. He served on Meharry Medical College’s board of trustees for nearly 40 years, chairing it for decades and helping raise $127.5 million for the college. 

“(Dr. Frank Royal’s) life was one of purpose,” VUU said in a statement, “faithfully lived, generously given and forever remembered.” 

His devotion extended to his family and faith. His children, all of whom entered medicine, said he balanced his responsibilities to remain present in their lives. 

“Despite his success, he always instilled upon us to define our successes in the way that we wanted for ourselves,” said Royal’s daughter Pamela J. Royal. 

Royal was also a dedicated member of Garland Avenue Baptist Church and established the Pamela and Frank S. Royal Sr. Endowed Scholarship and the Royal Society at Meharry Medical College. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and great-granddaughter Arrington Adekoya. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Charlton Royal; twin brother, Harry Willis Royal; children Karen, Pamela and Frank S. Royal Jr.; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; two first cousins and many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family members. 

“I would say I was fortunate enough to grow up in a household with my hero,” Frank Jr. said. “He lived with a purpose on a day-to-day basis, and he never wavered from that.” 

A viewing is set for Friday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Scott’s Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Garland Avenue Baptist Church, 2700 Garland Ave. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the church.