Henry Flickinger

Henry Stuckey Flickinger - Lynnfield, 88, passed away February 13, 2019, in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Born Dec 2, 1930 the son of Henry (Harry) Flickinger and Suzanne (Saginak) Flickinger of Cleveland, OH.

He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute of Baltimore, MD in 1948. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1951. He then went on to receive a diploma from the Test Pilot Training (NATC) facility in Patuxent River, MD in 1952. From there he received a Master's degree in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1954. In 1976, he attended the Senior Executive Program, at the Sloan School of Management, a Division of MIT. In 1951 Mr. Flickinger began his career as a Project Engineer (Civil Service, Grade 13) responsible for test and evaluation of armament control systems and experimental fighter aircraft. In this capacity he drew out the test flight plans and worked hand in hand with John Glenn his test pilot. He then moved on to AVCO (1951) as Manager of the Flight Engineering and Analysis Department which was engaged in the planning, evaluation, and analysis of all AVCO flight test programs. The MK5/11 reentry vehicle characterization for the Minuteman Missile evolved from this effort. Mr. Flickinger then became Director of the Reentry Vehicle Technology Program, administered the MX preprototype Reentry Vehicle (ABRV) program. This $30 Million-dollar R&D program was the most complicated flight test program ever undertaken and the most successful program executed. In 1963, he served as Program Director/Program Manager of a series of classified experimental reentry R&D flight test programs. These programs formed the data base for the Peacekeeper Missile. Mr. Flickinger became Vice President of Advanced Technology in 1974. In this position he assumed responsibility for R&D activity associated with advanced strategic systems. Technologies spanned space defense systems, strategic reentry vehicles/penetration aids, and laser/electro optics systems. He interfaced with large/small aerospace companies, government review boards, DoD policy offices, Congress, and Technical Societies. Mr. Flickinger retired from AVCO in 1988 and joined the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory located in Cambridge, Mass. He assumed the position of Director of Technology responsible for Draper's technology effort in the areas of avionics, guidance, navigation and control and spacecraft systems.

Mr. Flickinger was predeceased by his mother Suzanne Davis and his Stepfather Nelson Davis. Mr. Flickinger was the beloved husband of Sally M. (Flanagan). He was the loving father of Henry S. "Hank" Flickinger, Jr. and his wife Bridget of Lyme, NH, Holly Marker Flickinger Weiss of Doylestown, PA, Richard "Sandy" Flickinger and his wife Sarah Anne of Magnolia, MA, and Susan Beth Flickinger O'Leary and her husband Robert O'Leary of Hudson, NH. He was the cherished grandfather of Sarah, Michael, Andrew, Cole, Theresa, Blake, Broock, Paige, Cormac, Colbi, Zaira, Zailyn, Keely, Patrick, and William.

Funeral Service in the Centre Congregational Church, 5 Summer St., Lynnfield on Tuesday at 10am. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Monday from 4-7pm. Interment, Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter, 685 Canton St., Suite 103, Norwood, MA 02062.

February 18, 2019
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-3550

February 19, 2019
10:00 AM

Centre Congregational Church
5 Summer St.
Lynnfield, MA 01940
(781) 334-3050