Robert K. Flachbart
March 14, 1920 ~ April 2, 2015
DANVERS- Robert K. Flachbart, 95, peacefully passed away, in his home on April 2, 2015. He was the loving husband of Judy (Hawkes) Flachbart with whom he shared 29 years of marriage.
Bob was born in Peabody on March 14, 1920. He was the son of the late Arthur and Catherine (Cronin) Flachbart. Bob started his first business, a Sunoco service station on Cabot Street in Beverly at the young age of 21. He sold that business to enlist in the United States Army during World War II, less than three weeks after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Bob returned from World War II as a highly decorated Veteran and hero, earning a Silver Star for Gallantry in Action.
On February 7, 1944, near Carroceto, Italy, during an enemy counterattack against the company position, all other members of Corporal Flachbart's machine gun squad were wounded or killed. Bob manned the gun unassisted and delivered effective fire on the attacking forces. When he had expanded all available ammunition, he fought the attacking forces with hand grenades until the attack was repulsed and his position was again secure.
Along with the prestigious Silver Star, Bob earned two Bronze Stars for Meritorious Achievement in ground operations against the enemy and two Purple Hearts for wounds received in action. Bob returned from WWII on a hospital ship and finished his Army days working at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. as a courier for General George C. Marshall.
After the war, Bob owned two more service stations in Peabody and Salem, along with a career with Sunoco Oil Company, driving a semi-tanker, a job that he greatly enjoyed When Bob turned 50, he went full time with his hobby of refinishing and restoring antique furniture and, in doing so, turned a hobby that he loved into a thriving business. Bob refinished and restored antique furniture for several noteworthy museums in the Boston area, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and countless clients throughout the North Shore for over 40 years.
Besides his wife Judy, he is survived by his four children, Carole White and her husband David of Amelia Island, Florida, Robert T. Flachbart formerly of Danvers, now residing in Gloucester, Eric J. Flachbart and his wife Sepi of Newport, Vermont and Kurt Flachbart and his wife Laura of Naples, Maine. Bob had five grandchildren: Carl, Todd, Ryan, Allyson and Lili and two great granddaughters, Johanna and Erin, as well as a very special niece, Mary-Ann Flachbart of Marblehead. Bob was predeceased by his late wife Mary Alice (Deschenes) Flachbart, who passed from cancer in 1984 after sharing 39 years of marriage; his brother, Arthur K. Flachbart, nephew Michael K. Flachbart and niece Paula L. Flachbart.
His Funeral Service will be celebrated at 11AM on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 in Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16 Sylvan St., Danvers. Visitation will be held from 4-8PM on Monday, April 20, 2015 at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob’s name to the Holy Trinity Church, 16 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA, 01923 or the Merrimack Valley Feline Hospital, 63 Elm St., Salisbury, MA 01952.
How I love this photo Doesn’t Dad look like he and Lucy are having fun in the 55 Chevy. Thanks Kurt for making that long drive from Maine to Danvers to give Dad and us such a memory!
Robyn and Tim, these are all such great photos of Judy and Dad. Thanks for making these wonderful memories!
Love all these special photos. Look how snappy Judy and Dad look!
Goodbye Dad, You were a wonderful Father, always had my back and steered me in the right direction. Our weekly conversations will be greatly missed. Love you so much, Kurt
Not many enjoyed ice cream more than Dad!
There is a very powerful story that goes along with this picture.
My family and I were blessed to have lived next door to Bob and Judy for over twenty years. My children, now in their twenties, fondly recall hearing Bob call “all kitties” into the house every night. This genuine, one-of-a-kind soul has always held a very special place in our hearts. Deepest sympathies to Judy, Bob’s children, and grandchildren, and his entire family. May you find comfort and laughter in happy memories of this extraordinary man and the amazing life he led.
Sheila Arias and Sean Carey
Such wonderful memories. Thank you for posting! That was a wonderful time…
He was a special friend of my.kathleen murphy
Mr Flachbart was a great man. My son Nicholas interviewed him when Nick was at the prep for a history project. He opened up his home to him and gave Nick the interview of his a lifetime! He was so proud of the time he spent in the service and we thank him for that. Nicholas had a lot of respect for this man. I will never forget what he taught my son during that interview and I’m sure Nick will never forget it also! He really was a great influence on my sons life!
Thank you the Flachbarts for sharing your Dad with us all!
Many’s the morning I shared coffee with Bob. He was one of the most honorable, scinere, and wonderful men I have ever known. I loved and respected him more than I can put in words. Rest in peace grand old friend.
I was fortunate enough to live a few houses down from Mr. Flachbart (he’ll always be mister to me) for a few years during my middle school years. I had moved to town and struggled immensely to adjust to a new environment, and struggled even harder to make friends and find social stability in my school environment. When I felt most alone in my life, he took me under his wing nearly every day. He would invite me into his garage ‘shop,’ and taught me so very much about life, love, and his own experiences in this world. For a thirteen year old kid who needed it most; he was a mentor, a guiding light, and a friend in the truest sense of the word. I consider myself blessed to have known him, and can honestly say that I have grown into a better man for it. My condolences to his wife Judy, his children, grandchildren, and countless others who were touched by his kind and gentle soul.
– Zachary M van Luling
Judy & family,
My dad, daughter & I had the honor of knowing Bob through my sister Sheila Arias.
Please accept our sincerest condolences on your loss & cherish the fond memories that you all shared with this great American.
Stephen Kaplan
Arthur Dad so enjoyed meeting his “McDonald friends” several mornings a week. He was awed by the fact that you invented games at Parker Brothers. Thank you for the many conversations he share with you and so many others over a steeping hot cup of coffee!
At this time of remembrance, I think back of when i met my brother-in-law. I met Bob a long time before Judy did. I had taken an adult education class in furniture refinishing. It was held in the shop of the Richmond School. The piece i had was an old oak wooden telephone. the kind with the crank on the side that many remember in the “lassie” television series. I remember Bob making his way around the room stopping at each ones project and commenting on them. His love for the wood grain, the condition of my piece and the warmth that he described it, made it ever more special for me. It was also at that time that i first saw his PTSD. At the time I didn’t realize what it even was but i recognized it as something that had bothered him. Another student had brought in an electric sander and when she turned it on. I saw Bob’s PTSD in action. I witnessed it many more times througout his life.. I Thank you Bob, and i am sorry that you had this unhappy reminder from the service of your love of your country
As he and Judy met and married, I witnessed the Bob that I grew to love as my brother. A zany sense of humor and sometimes he and i would have our private “jokes” that only each of us thought was funny I witnessed Bob and Judy’s love through the years and many of the age related illnesses that each shared. He attending to her, she attending to him. The love endured. I was fortunate to share his 95th birthday celebration where he was surrounded by his family and a few friends to help share in the festivities. It was a quite a day. It was a sad day when i received the call that he had passed. I salute you my brother-in-law, my friend, and my hero.
Judy and Family
My condolences to you on the loss of a wonderful man. I’ve always had the greatest respect and admiration for Bob and what he did for our country. He was a true hero of WW II and he was one of my personal heroes. He was an outstanding representative of the “Greatest Generation”.
Bill Corliss
Dear Judy,
My deepest sympathy in the loss of your dear husband,Bob. I know he lived a long and productive life and that you and he shared many memorable times. My prayer is that you will find comfort in these memories and in knowing that so many who knew and loved him share in your loss. Please extend my deepest condolences to the rest of the family. You are in my thoughts as you experience these difficult times.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Pat McNulty