Richard Aldine (Dick) Fliess, age 76, a resident of Jacksonville, FL, went home to be with the Lord on January 22, 2017.
He was born on January 23, 1940, to Eugene Edward "Red" Fliess and Zernie Pearl Fliess in Clifton Forge, VA.
He was the middle child of three children.
He was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Gene Fliess, and he is survived by his younger sister, Constance Bennington, who resides in Richmond, VA.
Richard attended Greenbrier Military School and graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.
Richard is preceded in death by his wife and mother of his six children, Joyce Marie Fliess and his eldest son, Richard Eugene "Rock" Fliess.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Broda Fliess and children, Stephanie Lynn Pecarro (Sam), Matthew Gale Fliess (Angie), Clay Scott Fliess (Debbie), Nathan Penn Fliess (Juda) and Jennifer Joyce Harrington (Jimmy), Carol's son, David Broda (Jessica), as well as his grandchildren, Sammy (Heather), Stephen, Savannah, Joy, Cassidy, Spencer, Allie, James, Jordan, Alex, Jenna, Hannah, Jennifer, Jessica and Nathan and three great grandchildren Jackson, Samuel, Clay, Jacob and Julia.
Richard "Dick" had a successful career with the railroad for over 30 years. As a young man just out of college, he joined the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in 1963 in the engineering department. His career moved him and his family from Virginia, all over the state of West Virginia and to Baltimore, MD. His final move, as Vice President of Operations brought them to Jacksonville, Florida as he was a key player in the Chessie/Seaboard "CSX" merger. He retired from CSX at the age of 55. He demonstrated that people who work hard and live with a sense of values can honestly achieve whatever goals they set for themselves.
In 1981 he was designated a member of the National Defense Executive Reserve. On February 20, 1995 The Flag of the United States of America was flown over the Capital in Honor of Richard. On May 9, 1995 Clifton Forge, VA proclaimed "Richard A. Fliess Day," where he was given a key to the city in appreciation of his service and dedication to the city. That same year he was honored in Cumberland, MD by CSX CEO, John Snow, dedicating a locomotive training school as the Richard A Fliess Training Center.
He enjoyed his retirement. Richard was an avid golfer and a civil war buff. He enjoyed traveling around the United States, where he visited 49 states.
Richard loved his church. He was a founding member of Crown Point Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. He loved the Lord and was an extremely generous, humble and kind man who never met a stranger. Over the years, he offered wise counsel and friendship to many.
He lived his whole life and each day with the expectation of one day going "Home" and meeting the Lord. Welcome home Richard!
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in memory of Richard A Fliess to The Richard E. "Rock" Fliess Endowment Fund. Please make checks to Marshall University and memo Rock Fliess Endowment to ATTN: Lance West, 519 John Marshall Drive Huntington, WV 25703 and/or Crown Point Baptist Church, 10153 Old St Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2017 in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27, 2017 in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com. (904) 288-0025.
