Senate Resolution No. 290

BY: Senator LITTLE

MOURNING the death of Robert F. Flacke,
distinguished United States Navy veteran, educator,
environmentalist, and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow that this Legislative Body,
representing the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to
pay tribute to an eminent gentleman of indomitable faith and dedication
whose public service and countless accomplishments will forever stand as
a paradigm and inspiration for others; and

WHEREAS, Robert F. Flacke of Lake George, New York, died on
Saturday, November 10, 2018, at the age of 85; and

WHEREAS, Born on January 25, 1933, in Albany, New York, Robert F.
Flacke was the son of Clara (Hohl) and Joseph L. Flacke; and

WHEREAS, After a storied football career at the College of the Holy
Cross, Robert F. Flacke was drafted to play professional football by the
Detroit Lions of the NFL, but instead became a submarine warfare expert
on a Naval Destroyer Escort; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his active service, Robert F. Flacke
valiantly served in the Naval Reserve for 30 years, attaining the rank
of Captain; and

WHEREAS, Robert F. Flacke spent his illustrious career in education
as a teacher and guidance counselor in the Queensbury School District
where, in the 1960s, he implemented one of the first learning-disability
programs in the state; he also created the basketball and football
teams; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his school responsibilities, Robert F.
Flacke was named President of Fort William Henry Corporation in 1958,
after the death of his father-in-law; over a 60-year period, he led a
major expansion of Fort William Henry's hotel, conference, retail and
restaurant businesses; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Robert F. Flacke, the Fort
William Henry Hotel is the oldest resort at Lake George and a preeminent
upstate New York tourism destination; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Robert F. Flacke was
appointed to the Lake George Town Planning Board and was later elected
as Supervisor of the Town of Lake George (1970-1979); he also
represented the Town on the Warren County Board of Supervisors and
served as the county's finance and budget officer; and

WHEREAS, Robert F. Flacke was appointed to the Adirondack Park
Agency (APA) in 1974, during which time the newly created agency's
land-use policies had generated deep resentment among property owners
and local officials across the Adirondacks; he served in this capacity

until 1983, and was credited with improving the APA's relationship with
the local community; and

WHEREAS, Due to his tremendous success, Robert F. Flacke was
appointed Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC) in 1979; in this role, he signed the necessary regulatory permits
which allowed construction of the 1980 Winter Olympic facilities at Lake
Placid, and was widely credited with saving Lake Placid and the Olympics
from international humiliation when management failures threatened to
disrupt the events; and

WHEREAS, Robert F. Flacke was the only person in the history of New
York State to serve as both the New York State Commissioner of
Environmental Conservation and the Chairman of the Adirondack Park
Agency; and

WHEREAS, Active in many state and local organizations, Robert F.
Flacke was a longtime member of the Board of Governors of Glens Falls
Hospital and Adirondack Health Services; a former Director of Evergreen
Bank and BankNorth; and a longtime Director of Finch, Pruyn & Co. Inc.
of Glens Falls; and

WHEREAS, Robert F. Flacke was also Director of the New York Business
Council, Vice President of the New York Blue Line Council, and a
founding board member of North Country Ministry; in 1995, he was honored
as the recipient of the Liberty Bell Award by the Warren County Bar
Association; and

WHEREAS, Robert F. Flacke is survived by his wife of 63 years, the
former Jean McEnaney; four children, Nancy (Mark), Robert Jr. (Jean),
Diane (Bob) and Kathryn; and nine grandchildren, Caroline (Michael),
Elizabeth, Amanda, Connor, Kelly, Cara, Maureen, Tess and Robert; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Robert F. Flacke leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Robert F. Flacke, distinguished United States Navy
veteran, educator, environmentalist, and devoted member of his
community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Robert F. Flacke.