Paul Flick

Paul Flick was the kind of man who did ordinary things in an extraordinary way. He did his duty without a lot of fanfare. He was made from the mold of his WWII generation, hard working, uncomplaining, dedicated to God, country and family. Paul was all of these, but most of all he was a good provider who loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Born on March 24, 1916 in Dorseyville, PA, to Henry and Ethel Flick, Paul was second child of four. Henry and Ethel worked hard to raise their family, Henry working as an oilman while Ethel stayed home to care for the children and run the household. Even though the “war to end all wars” was just around the corner, it was still a good time in America for raising a family. While attending school, Paul claimed that he rode a horse to school and that same horse came to pick him up to take him back home at the end of the day!

Paul went to work at a young age and since he was needed to help out on the family farm, he never graduated from high school. He was drafted into the army to serve during WWII, stationed first in New Mexico and then Fort Custer. He entered the military on January 24, 1941 and was discharged in November of 1945. He served the duration of the war as a transportation supervisor in the Army.

When Paul returned to civilian life he found employment working at an orchard in Pittsburgh. He didn’t spend all his time working, though. He did find time to go out with friends when he could and also attend church services. One fateful evening, Paul went to church and he saw two young ladies there. The one he knew had asked her friend, Eleanor to stay with her so she wouldn’t be alone with Paul! As it turned out Paul had a chance to go dancing and to a restaurant with Eleanor and immediately ran home to tell his mother that this was the girl he was going to marry! He knew what he was talking about, since the young couple exchanged their vows on March 20, 1943 at Deer Creek Presbyterian Church.

Paul and Eleanor started their married life together, Paul worked at Pickett & Schreur in Allegan then went to work for Hoffman Brothers Construction while Eleanor stayed home. Over the years they became the proud parents of four beautiful children: Peggy in 1944, John in 1945, Mary in 1948 and Patty in 1951. Paul was a good father, not only providing financially for his children but also finding the time to play with them. There were tree houses built in the back yard, wrestling around with Patty and Sunday afternoon drives with the whole family. There were also Friday night trips to the Dairy Queen and of course that included ice cream for the dog! (Over the years the family pets were: Flipper, Bozo, Missy-who had eight pups, and Tucker).

When they could the family traveled together, something that Paul loved to do. There were trips back to Pennsylvania to visit relatives and there were also three memorable trips out west. They packed up the kids and putting their possessions in a dump truck, traveled around California!

Paul, who was a very social man, enjoyed playing cards and getting together with family and friends for picnics. He was also outspoken (possibly due to his heritage of German, Scottish, and Pennsylvanian Dutch). He sometimes made decisions at the last minute, one time wanting to stop off and visit an old girlfriend. He was also known for being tough, one time breaking his leg without telling anyone until he showed up in a cast! Paul never missed a day of work in his entire life.

After retiring from Hoffman’s in 1977, Paul found more time to do the things he loved to do, even though he worked for another company for a while. He took up ceramics and had more time for riding around on his old Indian military motorcycle as well as spending more time with family and friends.

Paul Flick was an unpretentious man who lived his life doing what he was called to do: serving his country, providing for his family, and giving them unconditional love. These are the marks he leaves behind and will be remembered for by all who knew him in his long and fruitful life.

Paul Flick died September 10, 2008 in Battle Creek. A graveside service will be held Monday, 1:00 PM at Ft. Custer National Cemetery (meet at the cortage assembly area at 12:45 PM). Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Flick of Kalamazoo, four children: Peggy (Max) Olmstead of Battle Creek; John (Carol) Flick of Burnsville, MN; Mary (Tom) Metzler of Kalamazoo; and Patty (Steve) Sadler of Maui, HI; five grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; two siblings, Libby Pinkerton of Butler, PA and Wayne Flicks of Scottsdale, AZ and many nieces and nephews. Please visit Paul’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory or photo, sign his memory book or make a memorial contribution to Alzheimer’s Association or Senior’s Services. Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-6080 Stadium Drive-Kalamazoo, 375-2900