Richard Henry (Dick) Flachbart, 85, of Hickory passed away after a brief illness on January 25, 2023 at Carolina Caring in Newton. He was surrounded by his family and loving friends. Dick was born on March 8, 1937 in Bronx, NY. He was the son of the late Charles and Edna Landau Flachbart. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Charles.
Richard is survived by his wife of 36 years, Patricia (Pat) Conway Flachbart; son, Richard (Rick) and daughter, Laura Flachbart of Connecticut, step-children, Carrie (Sloan) Hicks, (Missouri), Jeffrey (Holly) Tonella (California), Lauren (Travis Runyan) Tonella (Missoouri); grandchildren, Jacqueline Amorando, Alexandra (Lulu) Flachbart, Morgan (Justin) Cupps, Kennedy and Lincoln Hicks, Grant Runyan and great-grandson, James Allen as well as several nieces and nephews and countless loving friends.
Dick and Pat retired to Hickory 20 years ago from California after enjoying a long and successful career as an engineering manager with IBM, which took him and the family to Paris, France. For several years, he served as a liaison between the engineering facility in Corbeil Essonnes, France and the IBM semi-conductor facility in Fishkill, NY. Along with numerous professional recognitions and awards he holds several inventions and patents related to his involvement in thin film disc development.
Dick was dedicated to community involvement, and he served for several years on the Grand Jury in El Dorado County, California. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club and the Elks and volunteered with the Hickory Police Department. Additionally he enjoyed working with those attempting to gain their GED. What he loved most, however, was mentoring his friend and surrogate grandson, Trey Couch.
In addition to his giving heart, Dick had a great love for God and his country. As a young man, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as a fire technician assigned to the US Holder. His nightly “prayer list” as he referred to it, included those he loved and cared for. He often said his list was getting so long he would fall asleep before completing it. Dick was loved for his kindness, gentle demeanor, eagerness to help, his great sense of humor and his “great hair”. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
A Memorial Service with military honors will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2023 in the Chapel of Drum Funeral Home in Hickory with Pastor Bob Helton officiating.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. prior to the service.
A reception will follow at Trade Alley Art, 25 2nd Street NW, Hickory, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.
Condolences may be sent to the Flachbart family at www.drumfh-hickory.com.
Drum Funeral Home in Hickory is honored to be serving the Flachbart family.
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