Joseph Charles Flay

Dr. Flay was an inspiring teacher. He assigned the most thought provoking task I ever had in college. The class was reading Marx's "German Ideology" and Locke's "On Civil Society." Dr. Flay told us to first write a Marxian critique of Locke followed by a Lockian critique of Marx. The discussion and debate in class was truly epic. A wonderful teacher and person.

I worked with Joe in the months before he passed and I feel intensely privileged to have met him. My quiet hours spent with him were very special to me and I find I still think of him every day; his amazing stories, his philosophy on life, his humor, kindness, generosity, and advice. I wrote the following excerpt one day while sitting with him (I found my time with him to be very inspirational): "I'm often asked why I still write in pencil, as if it's some lost art, a media useless in the technological age. Sitting here examining my scribbles, I found more reasons to appreciate lead, or modernly, graphite. When one writes in ink, the words will dry and solidify their existence on the paper. However with pencil or charcoal the words and images will always be subject to change. I love the idea that with a small sweep of your hand my original intentions and meanings can be altered. It's as if you have as much power over my writing as I do. It seems like an intimate way to physically share and mold ideas. More than that, when you can physically engage in something I created from a distance, even when you're far from me, it's like we're together again, however limited the contact. Perhaps when your fingertips blur the lines of my script I will feel them brushing my hand. The light thread that ties us will be pulled taut, my fingers suspending in space briefly against my will, reaching toward you. I will feel the ghost gesture and wonder, then shake off the sensation and look forward once more. But the mysterious touch will linger, make no doubt; I will be comforted."
Joe, I'm still comforted by your words, and I hope that the imprint you've left on my life is never erased. "Síochán leat"

I just came across this sad, very sad news. Joe or Dr. Flay was my teacher in the late 60's, a time of campus upheaval, yes even at Penn State. I took a number of classes with him and I remember him as a warm and generous man, encouraging honest dialogue and debate, someone who embodied courage and integrity. I remember him as well speaking to campus protest groups, both supporting the students but also urging personal responsibility for our actions. He stood out like a beacon of honesty.

I was fortunate enough to have enjoyed a number of dinners at Joe and Bonnie's home. I have such warm and fond memories of all that he taught me and all that I learned from him.

My sincerest sympathies to his children and grandkids, he was a wonderful human being.

I just heard about this, a bit belatedly. Joe was my teacher in the 1980s and on my thesis committee. More important, he taught me the meaning of decency combined with rigor. I still recall our intellectual battles, culminating in my thesis defense on Michel Foucault, where he commented, "You know the difference between you and Foucault? Foucault was smart enough not to be so damn consistent." I don't think I've yet plumbed the full depth of that remark. Thanks, Joe.
Todd May

Joe was my teacher and friend for four decades, from my discovery of his work on Hegel while researching doctoral programs to our periodic phone calls over the past several years. Lately our conversations were centered on movies he'd watched and how much he missed Bonnie. One of the most demanding experiences of my life was a study of Foucault that we pursued together one State College winter. Joe elicited an almost physical intensity in working through those texts. Joe's integrity as a scholar and warmth as a friend combined in his teaching, which was always of the highest level. He will be greatly missed. My condolences and best wishes to Sally, Chris and Greg.

We send our sincere condolences to the Flay family. Joe was our teacher at Penn State in the late 1970s and we remember fondly his enthusiasm and dedication.

My condolences to the family. Joe Flay, with his sharp insight and generous spirit, was the best dissertation director I could have asked for.

Joe Flay was my friend and teacher. Therefore a large portion of my life has been reflecting on his view of the weaknesses in Hegelian metaphysics. Joe was enamored of French ontologies. For him, Buddhism was “a sublimation.”
Joe could have been a stand-in for Gary Cooper. He was tall, thin, humble, articulate and friendly. He wore his Phi Beta Kappa key like some wear the cross. His opinion was sought after and sometimes found on the front page of the NY Times.
Joe responded each and every day to a world that remains less than ideal. He said, “You are for the World depending on your choices and actions; and the World is for you depending on the choices and actions of others.”
My life has been infused with the nature of his dedication. He tried to make matters as clear as he could in Greek, Latin, German, French, and English.
I feel Joe singlehandedly rewrote the lines of Shakespeare when the later wrote “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” Joe put the Good first and it is his Good that lives and remains powerful.

Dharma Beach [email protected]
Baltimore, Maryland
443-717-2400

Sending love and support to you all. I will light a candle on August 2nd and remember both Bonnie and Joe, two of my dearest friends since the 60s. It has been a privilege to be part of the "family" they so warmly gathered together.

Dear Sally, Chris and Greg. I just learned of Joe's death. O Kairos!
I will always cherish memories of gatherings at your home under the great avocado tree and discussions of Hegel and Kazantzakis in those early 70's.

Our condolences to the Flay family. We will miss him in the neighborhood.

Our sympathy to the Flay family. We have many fond memories of Bonnie and Joe as neighbors in English Meadows. Joe was so giving, both in attentiveness to Bonnie and actively serving on our Board of Directors. We cherish the memories.

Dear Chrissie, Sally, Greg, and all your families,
I was so sad to hear about your loss. Your dad was an important part of my teen years, especially, and I'll miss him always. I have a thousand memories of his smiling generosity, so I'm sure your thoughts of him are some comfort, too. My deepest sympathy,
Amy

So sorry for your loss. Prof. Flay was a wonderful instructor. Still have my notes from Phil 4 back in the 70's. Loved it!

Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Joe was a kind and warm person - a true gentleman.

Joe's searching philosophical intelligence and personal integrity and care for others were a constant inspiration.

As a fellow Hegel scholar, Joe was insightful, kind, willing to help others with his time and advice. He was a calm and humane scholar who refused narrow specialization but could hold his own in specialized debates. We Hegel scholars were fortunate to have had him as our companion on our journeys.

I still remember a class of Professor Flay's that influenced me to become a philosophy major, way back in 1976! And then there was his two semester Hegel class--phew! Condolences to the family, and especially to Sarah, since we were buddies as kids.

My condolences to the family. Dr Flay was my teacher at Penn State in the 1980s. A great teacher, his warmth and intelligence remain a fond memory of mine.

Joe will be missed by his many friends; he was a kind and wonderful person.

my condolences to the family. As VP for Student Affairs in the 60's I encountered Joe often as he supported student groups. Although we may have differed dramatically I came to know him as a man of highest integrity and, although on opposite sides of the fence from time to time, I admired him for his openness and honesty. Penn State has lost a great figure. Raymond Murphy, Vice President Emeritus

Sarah & Family--
My condolences to you at this difficult time. May Joseph's memory be a blessing.
--Alan Benjamin

I thoroughly enjoyed the brief time I spent with Joe, talking about Paris and pianos. I can only imagine the reunion with Bonnie!

Sarah, Chris and family, My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. With Sincere Sympathy,

Sarah and family,

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember your Dad fondly...he was a wonderful person. May your memories help you through this difficult time.

Both Joe and Bonnie were two of the most remarkable people I have had the pleasure and honor to have known the past 19 years. My most heartfelt sympathies to the entire Flay family.

Thank you Sir for your service to our great country! R. I. P.

Thank you for your service to our country.

I am so sad for your loss. I know how so many loved your father, Sarah.