Richard E

Flock

Richard E. Flock, age 78, of Toledo, passed away on September 27, 2011 at Northwest Ohio Hospice House (surrounded by his loving family). Dick was born July 9, 1933, in Galion, OH, the son of the late Clarence Flock and Bertha Finical Flock.

Dick spent his childhood in Bucyrus, OH. He graduated from Bucyrus High School, and then obtained his degree in accounting from the Ohio State University, Columbus. Dick served in the Army and was stationed in Panama. He was discharged in 1955, the recipient of a National Defense Service Medal.

Dick had a strong work ethic, he was Executive Secretary for Ralph Cobey, often organizing meetings and parties as Treasurer and Executive Board Member of Malabar Farms in Lucas, Ohio . Here he met well known personalities, such as Ernest Hemingway and Lauren Becall. In 1962, he and his late former wife, Irene Assenheimer Flock, opened Young Fashions, a 2 store chain of children and teen specialty shops in Galion and Bellvue Ohio. During this time Dick also traveled throughout Ohio as a manufacturer's representative for a Kansas City dress house. From 1969-1980, he was a store manager at the former Lasalle's Department Stores at Westgate, Woodville Mall, and Findlay. During his tenure in Findlay, he was in charge of the total remodeling and revamping of the store, turning it into the highest per square foot income producer for the chain at that time.

In 1980, Dick and his partner, Ed Hoffman, founded the "Old West End Collector's Corner" at the corner of Collingwood and Delaware in the Historic Old West End. The popular consignment and collectible shop became a fun and interesting gathering spot serving people through out Toledo and surrounding areas. Dick was also one of Toledos prominent house and estate liquidators during this time. He was much in demand as a personal property appraiser for probate, divorce, and insurance purposes. After selling the "Old West End Collector's Corner" in 2000, Dick continued conducting house and estate sales as Dick Flock, Liquidator.

Dick's interests and energies were boundless, he loved dancing, cooking, gardening, entertaining, traveling, and generally having a good time. A regular highlight was attending the Toledo Club for dinner and social camaraderie. Dick and Ed traveled extensively throughout the world including a trip on the Orient Express.

He was a "people person," always ready to talk to and listen to people, often taking their problems on as his own in an effort to help them. Many a business plan, new organization, fund raiser or special social event resulted from relaxed discussions at Dick and Ed's Old West End home and pool.

In later years, Dicks efforts were focused on developing and promoting a community calendar so that special charity fund raising events might be coordinated to maximize attendance and exposure of the GLBT community. One outstanding event has been the "Holiday With Heart Charity Gayla" founded in 1976. In a GLBT community pride award ceremony, Dick and Ed's efforts were summed up as follows: " The philanthropic effort of these two men is legendary and reflects their vision of not only uniting the GLBT community, but also the GLBT community with the Toledo community at large."

Dick's memberships included the National Association of Credit Men, Galion Chamber of Commerce, Perfection Management Club, Elks Club, Midwest Appraisers ' Association, International Society of Appraisers, Grace Lutheran Church, Big Brothers of Northwest Ohio, American Legion (Conn Weisenburger Post 587), Toledo Opera, Collingwood Arts Center, David's House of Compassion, GLU, Equality, Stonewall Democrats, Primo Divos, ACLU, and Gamma Mu. He was a founder of the Toledo Chapter of Lutheran's Concerned, Personal Rights Organization, and the Toledo Area Pride center.

Dick leaves to cherish his memory his loving partner of 35 years and best friend, Ed Hoffman, his beautiful daughters Dayne Flock Canavin (Michael), Highland Village, TX, Dawne Flock Helvie (Jeff), Lexington, OH, grandchildren of whom he was so proud, Brinton, Sean, and Katie (Canavin), Adam (Chandra), Andrew (Heaven), and great grandchildren, Owen, and Caleb (Clinger), his brother, Ron Flock (Marilyn), of Southern Pines, NC, sister, Barbara Flock Clayton (Eugene), of Bucyrus, OH.

Friends may call at the Foth – Dorfmeyer Mortuary 3815 Sylvania Ave.(Between Monroe St. & Talmadge Rd.) Friday from 6 – 8 Pm and on Saturday after 4 with a Memorial Funeral Services to follow at 5:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that Donations in Dick's memory may be made to The Richard E. Flock Memorial, The Holiday With Heart Fund at The Toledo Community Foundation, 300 Madison Avenue #1300, Northwestern, Ohio 43604 or The Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, 24 East Woodruff Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43604-5263.