Robert Carl Flick (Bob), November 21, 1940, to October 29, 2023, 82 years old, passed away at his home, 8628 Mount Vernon Hwy, Alexandria VA 22309. He was with his wife of nearly 60 years, Beatriz, and his sons, Albert and Peter. He died of complications from t-cell lymphoma.
Bob grew up in Orchard Park, NY and earned a BS degree in Wood Science from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, NY. He interrupted his college work to serve in the Peace Corps in Ecuador, where he met his wife. After the Peace Corps, he and Beatriz moved to Syracuse where he completed his degree in 1965. Bob loved the Peace Corps and Ecuador, and he pursued a career in international development for about 50 years. He and Beatriz lived and worked in many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In all of these places, Bob worked hard to improve local and national economies often by promoting agricultural projects. Also, he regularly offered his help and his home to visiting friends and family, sometimes for months at a time.
His last assignment was again in Ecuador, and after retiring from regular employment in 2005, he continued part-time international consulting. His main retirement project, however, was to build a farm in Ecuador, with Beatriz, on land she had inherited from her family. They grew avocados, coffee and sugar cane as well as vegetables for personal and local use. Avocados became their main crop, occupying about 50 acres of their 75-acre farm. Bob was one of the founders of Corpoaguacate, an agricultural cooperative association in Ecuador dedicated to improving the quality of avocados and their providing both to local and international export markets. He and Beatriz built a home on their farm, and they lived there year around until he needed to return to the U.S. for treatment.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, Carl and Loretta Flick, and by his older brother, Wayne. He is also predeceased by his middle son, Eric, who passed away in Ecuador in July 2023.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Beatriz, his oldest son and daughter-in-law, Albert and Gloria Flick, and his youngest son, Peter Flick, as well as by his two younger brothers, Warren and Bill. He is also survived by nine grandchildren , two great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob’s ashes will be interred on his farm in Ecuador. A Catholic funeral Mass will be held in his name on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 10:30 am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. A reception will follow in Creedon Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Bob.
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