Dr. Nicholas R. Flagler

Dr. Nicholas R. Flagler of Oxford died Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at the University of MD Medical Center in Baltimore. He was 70. Born July 19, 1936, he was the son of the late Dr. Harold B. Flagler and Helene Elizabeth Ruster. Dr. Flagler spent his childhood in Stroudsburg, PA going on rounds with his father and being immersed in his father’s music of the day - jazz of the 30’s – especially “Fats Waller”. He later traded his violin lessons for country music years before country was “in”. Summers were spent in Beach Haven, NJ where he began his lifelong love affair with sailing at the age of 9. He always attributed his education at Phillips Exeter Academy (Class of 1954) for paving his way to his undergraduate degree from Princeton University (Class of 1958) and to his medical degree from Temple University in Philadelphia (Class of 1962). He completed his OB/GYN Residency in 1967 at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, VA. His eleven (11) year naval career took him to Camp Pendleton, CA; aboard the USS Hector stationed in Japan; Portsmouth Naval Hospital; and to the Naval Hospital at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD where he was Chief of OB/GYN. His final duty station was on the teaching staff at the Naval Hospital, Betheda, MD. As Commodore of the Sailing Club at Patuxent River, he renewed his love for the Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Sailing into Oxford one beautiful fall day, Dr. Flagler and Dr. Justin P. Callahan became partners with a handshake and a beer on board the “Sweet Alice”. Upon honorable discharge from the United States Navy, Commander Flagler and his family moved to the Eastern Shore in July 1971. At the time of his retirement in July 2000, he was privileged to have delivered over 3,000 babies, many of whom were the children of women he had delivered. His Gynecology practice spanned generations of women and their families. It was not unusual for him to treat a patient, all her sisters, aunts, and, nieces, and to have something in common with her husband as well. He stayed involved in the medical community even after retirement by attending continuing medical education meetings at Shore Medical Systems, being a Medical Director at Innovative Health Systems from 1999 – 2005, and assisting in surgery as recently as the week before his death. As an active member of the community, he was recognized for 20 years of volunteer service with the Waterfowl Festival as Chairman of the Sign Committee. He has been a member of the Tred Avon Yacht Club since 1973 and was Company Surgeon for Oxford Volunteer Fire Company for many years. When asked what he was doing in his retirement, he responded, “Anything I want. With a wife who works full time, four boats, nine grandchildren, and a dog, I don’t know how I had time to work.” Dr. Flagler lived a full life including sailing to and from the Caribbean many times, across the Atlantic, in and around the Puget Sound, British Columbia, Alaska, Bermuda, down the West Coast through the Panama Canal, and down and back through the Intracoastal Waterway to Florida. He biked in New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Nova Scotia, the Shenandoah, and hundreds of miles on the flat Eastern Shore. He will be remembered for his compassion, his kindness, his sense of humor, his smile, and laughing at his own jokes. He will be laughing at all the pomp and ceremony surrounding his funeral and will be ready to party with us after the service. To say he was one of a kind would be an understatement - he was exceptional Dr. Flagler married Diana Bourpos Myre July 2, 1971. Along with his loving wife, he is survived by his four children and their spouses, Nicholas R. Flagler, Jr. of Washington, D.C.; Daniel G. and Sharon Flagler of Severna Park, MD; Alice E. and James A.”Chip” Fenn of Pittsfield, MA; and Robert S. and Pamela Myre of Middletown, DE; one brother and sister-in-law, Philip B. and Marilyn Flagler, of Beach Haven, NJ; and nine grandchildren, Kirstine, Brandon, Grant, Lindsey, Connor, Bailey, Garrett, Patrick, and Parker. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 pm, and 5 to 9 pm Friday, Sept. 22, at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newman Funeral Home, 200 S. Harrison St. Easton. A funeral service will be held at 4 pm on Sunday, Sept. 24 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Easton. A gathering of friends to celebrate his life will follow at the Masthead at Pier Street, Oxford. Please bring pictures, write down any memories, stories, or tall tales to share with the family. . In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the “Dr. Nicholas R. Flagler Memorial Fund”, C/O M & T Bank, Attn: Donna Zlock, 223 Glebe Road, Easton, MD 21601 or to the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, 300 Oxford Rd., Oxford, MD 21654. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newman Funeral Home, Easton.