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Richard W. Flores Sr.

by Jeanne Baron

April 12, 2011 | WMU News

Photo of Richard W. Flores Sr.
Richard W. Flores Sr.
Richard W. Flores Sr., a former Western Michigan University administrator and faculty member, died Dec. 26, 2010. He was 83.

Flores, of Plainwell, Mich., served as executive director of WMU's Paper Technology Foundation from 1989 until his retirement in 1993 with emeritus status. He joined the University in 1983 as a technical associate for the WMU Paper Pilot Plant and also taught courses what was then the Department of Paper and Printing Science and Engineering.

In 2007, Flores and his wife Mary Jane established a permanent endowment fund to support scholarships for WMU students enrolled in paper science and engineering programs.

Flores earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Lehigh University in 1950. Before coming to WMU, he held many executive positions with the Riegel Paper Corp. during 27 years with the firm and was mill manager for the Plainwell Paper Co. for several years. He served as national president of the Paper Industry Management Association from 1979 to 1980.

The U.S. Navy Air Corps veteran did fundraising for WMU's athletic department and was a volunteer at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30. Members of the WMU community are invited to make remarks during the gathering, which will be held in the Gull Lake Area Community Church, 9292 E. CD Ave., Richland, Mich.

Memorial contributions may be made to WMU's Gary Fund or Flores Endowed Scholarship, both through the Development Office, or to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.