His four children recently shared their remembrances about their father as well as the happiness he brought into their lives.
“I think for me, he taught me how to be a good human being, to treat everyone equally, having a strong work ethic, appreciating life and being thankful for what you have,” said Shelly Flagel, the youngest daughter.
Laurie Flagel, who worked for her father for the past 13 years, recalled how much he truly cared about his patients.
“He loved going to work,” she said. “He loved his work and he taught us to love our work. He loved seeing his patients and probably never really retired.”
She said her father would still come to work early on Saturday mornings to care for his patients.
Eric Flagel said the lessons he learned from his father were to be comfortable in your own skin, always be true to yourself, and that family always came first.
“He was a person who was very content to sit on his deck for hours hanging out and being with his kids and grandkids,” said son Todd Flagel.
Eric Flagel said his father had a “very goofy and silly side” which was very fun.
Shelly Flagel said the 11 grandkids, ages 4-14, had compiled a list of the 84 funniest things he did and said. She said much of that fun spread over the past decades.
“Nothing had changed in 50 years,” she said.
Dr. Flagel was best described by his children as consistent and genuine.
“You always knew where you stood and there were no surprises,” Todd Flagel said. “He was always the same person no matter the situation.”
Todd Flagel said he and his siblings also agreed that if they are able to do the job that their parents did raising them, that they would all be very successful.
Dr. Flagel is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sharon; his four children and 11 grandchildren; and by his sister Joyce Kiourtsis of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents Judith and Louis Flagel.
Dr. Flagel was a 1957 graduate of Middletown High School and had graduated from The Ohio State University’s College of Optometry in 1963. He was involved in the Middletown community and served in a number of organizations. Dr. Flagel served as president of the Middletown Community Foundation; president of the Noon Optimist Club; president of Temple Beth Sholom; chairman of All American Weekend; and committee member of the Pigskin Roundball Spectacular.
He enjoyed daily walks at Smith Park with his wife and dog, Wriglee, which replaced his 30-year routine of running after work.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown, with Rabbi Haviva Horvitz officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from noon to 2 p.m. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Beth Sholom, 610 Gladys Drive, Middletown, Ohio 45044, or to the Middletown Community Foundation, 300 N. Main St., Suite 300, Middletown, OH 45042
About the Author
