George Wilbur Flach

FLACH George Wilbur Flach, age 88 years, entered into his eternal reward on Sunday, August 2, 2009, after a very courageous battle with leukemia. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lou Flach; one son, Gary George Flach; his parents, Henry A. Flach and Amelia Muhs Flach; one brother, Howard E. Flach; and one sister, Shirley Flach Vasquez. George is survived by two sons: Bryan P. Flach and wife Dawnelle; and Dennis C. Flach and wife Mary; three grandchildren: Lauren, Andrew and Ryan; one sister, Lillian Flach Creighton; and one nephew, Bruce P. Creighton. George served as a bomber pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and flew bombing missions over Europe. He retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel. George Flach was the Chief Electrical Inspector for the City of New Orleans and Secretary to the Board of Electrical Examiners from 1953 through 1985. He was a member of the Board of Directors, IAEI (International Association of Electrical Inspectors), and member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Section, IAEI. At the Southern Section annual meetings he was the moderator during the Code discussions. He was a senior member of the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers. He was past chairman of the George Welman Chapter of IAEI, past president of the Southern Section IAEI, and past president of the Chief Electrical Inspector Section of the National Fire Protection Association. He was a registered professional engineer in the state of Louisiana and a certified electrical safety engineer in IAEI. He served as general chairman for IAEI's 50th anniversary meeting held here in New Orleans in 1978. In 1982 George was elected to serve as the International President of IAEI. He was chairman of Code-Making Panel 15 of the National Electrical Code Committee, member of the Correlating Committee on Building Construction, member of the Legally Required Emergency and Standby Power Supplies Committee and member of the Chapter 7 Subcommittee of NFPA 20-Centrifugal Fire Pumps. Much of his spare time was devoted to writing articles dealing with electrical safety and the National Electrical Code. His answers to questions appeared in the "Focus on the Code Column" in the IAEI NEWS and he had a monthly column, "Code Q&A" in ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR magazine. His articles on electrical safety and electric heating appeared in numerous electrical periodicals. In 1981 Prentice-Hall, Inc. published his book, CHANGES IN THE 1981 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE. Flach was an expert witness on matters dealing with the National Electrical Code and National Electrical Safety Code and often appeared in court on cases dealing with fires of suspected electrical origin. In 2006 George received the inaugural plaque from the Southern Section for his dedicated lifetime of service to the Southern Section. This plaque now bears his name, "George Flach Lifetime Service Award," when it is awarded to other recipients. In February 2009 George received a"20 years of Service" award from NACMA (National Armored Cable Manufacturer's Association) at their semi-annual meeting here in New Orleans. He was recognized in March 2009 with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Southeast Louisiana Chapter IAEI organization for his "Career of Dedication and Service" to the electrical community. Also in March 2009 George received a Certificate of Appointment as a Member Emeritus National Electrical Code to serve on Code-Making Panel 13. George dedicated his life to his wife, children, and the local, national, and international electrical community. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of the East Jefferson General Hospital Oncology/Infusion Center, Dr. Robert Veith, Oncology and Dr. Marc Bernstein, Cardiology. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. (in Metairie Cemetery) on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2009 from 9:00 AM until time of Mass. Interment will follow in Lake Lawn Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, blood donations made in the name of George Flach at the East Jefferson General Hospital Blood Center would be greatly appreciated. To view and sign the Family Guest Book, go to www.lakelawnmetairie.com.