Ronald Allen Flug

West Des Moines

Ronald Allen Flug passed away July 13, 2011, from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). A celebration of his life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3424 Forest Ave., Des Moines. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, July 15, at St. Luke’s.

Born in Des Moines on April 30, 1945, Ron was the son of Warren and Lillian Flug. He was a proud graduate of the class of ’63 at Johnston High School. He attended Grand View College and graduated from AIB College of Business. On June 23, 1967, he married Polly Miller. He entered the U.S. Army on July 5, 1967, and served with the First Cavalry Division in the infantry in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

Ron was a budget analyst for the State of Iowa, retiring in 2008. He was also a church musician, serving at several metro-area churches as organist, choir director, bell choir director and music director over the last 50 years. As a member of the Central Iowa Chapter American Guild of Organists for nearly 40 years, he served as Dean and as a board member.

An accomplished organist whose primary purpose was to help lead others in meaningful worship of God, he most recently served as music director for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until he could no longer play the organ because of the effects of ALS.

Ron is survived by his wife, Polly, their three children, Beth (Peggy) Barlow-Flug of Oklahoma City; Sara (Troy) Dunlop of Pemberton Borough, N.J.; and Russell (Jennifer) Flug of Waukee. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Noah Dunlop, Leah Dunlop, William Flug, Cameron Flug, Joshua Flug and Piper Barlow-Flug, plus a new grandchild due in October. His mother, Lillian Flug of Des Moines, and brothers Jerry (Billie) Flug of Chesapeake, Va., and Steve (Kathy) Flug of Grimes, also survive. In addition, he is survived by many relatives and wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Flug, and his grandparents, Merle and Lydia Russell.

The family wants to thank the many friends who helped in so many ways during Ron’s illness, especially Jackie Fleming, who served as coordinator of the iRONman Team of volunteers. The family would also like to thank the VA Central Iowa Healthcare System, and the ALS Association for their stellar support, including medical care, information, equipment and encouragement, as well as the loving, caring staff at Taylor House Hospice, who helped Ron to have dignity, excellent care and as much comfort as possible during his last days.

Memorial contributions may be made to the organ fund at St. Luke’s Episcopal, to the Iowa Affiliate of the ALS Association, to American Guild of Organists scholarship fund or to Taylor House.