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Paul Lewis Flum

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University of Illinois

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Paul Flum Obituary

Flum, Paul Lewis Paul Lewis Flum, founder of Paul Flum Ideas, Inc. (PFI), died peacefully at The Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara, CA, on November 5, 2017. He was 93 years old. Mr. Flum was a creative force committed to making the world a better place. He was active in the St. Louis YMCA, United Nations Association, and Saint Louis Ballet. He helped the international Y establish facilities in the former Soviet Union and contributed to global conferences for conflict resolution. Mr. Flum was born in Kalamazoo, MI. He graduated from the University of Illinois and worked in sales promotion and advertising in Chicago, where he married Nancy Rose. They moved to St. Louis, MO, when he took a position with Ralston Purina. In 1956 he founded Paul Flum Ideas, Inc., in St. Louis. The company grew to become an international leader in food and beverage merchandising equipment. In 2004 Mr. Flum sold PFI to focus on his Goals for Americans Foundation. Mr. Flum was predeceased by wife Nancy Flum and sisters Laura Lieblein and Mary Jane Tiegs. In 2003, he married Sallie Painter of St. Louis. The couple maintained residences in St. Louis, MO, Montecito, CA, and Santa Ynez, CA. He is survived by his wife Sallie Flum, daughter Leslie Uljee and son-in-law Al Uljee of St. Louis, granddaughters Alison Zavracky of Brooklyn, NY, and Elizabeth Gunn of St. Louis, and his sister Ruth Polzin, of Kankakee, IL. The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date and suggests memorial contributions to the YMCA or a charity of the donor's choice. COAST CITIES CREMATIONS

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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch from Nov. 12 to Nov. 13, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Flum

18 Entries

Robert Ninness

January 3, 2025

I'm sorry to hear about his passing away. I work for Mr Flum for 13 plus years. It was a great place to work I learn a lot working there.again my condolences...

Elrena Thompson

November 6, 2024

So many memories.

Brian Skelton

June 17, 2020

I feel honored to have spent time with Paul when he first purchased property in the Santa Ynez Valley and would occasionally see him on my trips through Montecito... usually in random encounters. Paul was tough, passionate, inspirational and one of the smartest people I have ever had the honor to spend time with. We drifted apart in our interactions and I will always have fond thoughts of his brilliant nature, sharp wit and deep perspective. He taught me by example, to pick a side, it didn't necessarily matter which one, but to own it, run with it and push the ball down the field to success. I am blessed he once called me the "most tenacious man he ever encountered" and to this day, if a problem or challenge occurs where, merit, honor, kindness, strength or integrity are demanded; I simply ask myself what Paul would do... thank you for inspiring me good man... safe travels to your next world!

Muriuki Chris

February 13, 2020

Am learning about Paul's death over 2 years later. My deep sincere condolences to his family and all his life touched. I worked for his company in 98/99 as factory worker,material manager, inventory auditor etc and he stood up to me as a very committed man to his ideas and those who worked for him. No wonder most worked for him for many years.
May he RIP.

Michael Jackson

February 28, 2019

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. My boss back in 1975.

Jerry Mynatt

March 31, 2018

I'm so sorry to hear of Paul's passing, I worked for him on two occasions first in 1970 to 75 and 1984-1989, I worked in product development and management, Paul was like a father figure and mentor to me in many many ways, and I've always held working for him my biggest accomplishment both him and his wife Nancy where great employers.
The world was sure blessed having them.

Fernando Arias

January 19, 2018

I only have great memories of the years I work for Mr. Flum and will always be thank full for everything he teach me and did for me. My condolences to his family.I will always remember him as an exceptional person.

Mary Tikalsky

November 21, 2017

My sincere, heartfelt condolences to Paul's family and friends at this difficult time. I heard about him through his work with the global YMCA. A true champion in making the world a better, more caring place. God bless Paul.
Kindest regards, Mary Tikalsky, YMCA of the USA - World Service

Raul Rodriguez

November 17, 2017

My deepest condolences to the family of Paul Flum. The best teacher I ever had. Not always easy to work with him. He was a winner and an achiever. Gave me the opportunity to be successful in this great nation.

Barbie Barrow

November 17, 2017

Paul was an amazing man -- an entrepreneur whose passion for life extended way beyond his successful business. He was an idea man -- so full of plans that a former boss insisted that he name his new company Paul Flum Ideas when he and wife Nancy founded it in the 1950s. He often got his way not just through force of spirit, but through humor when nothing else worked. When Nancy, the financial wizard of the company, complained once that he couldn't force a former ballerina to be a bookkeeper, he told her that all he wanted was someone who was sharp on her toes. Once again he got his way.

His passion for mankind led him to support the underdog in every international conflict. His creativity led him to write and illustrate books (mainly "America and the Future"), which he sent to government, business, and cultural leaders around the nation and the world. He wrote the Vatican about the dangers of overpopulation so often that Pope John Paul II wrote him back asking just to agree to disagree about birth control and pro-choice.

Paul loved nature and was generous in preserving as much of it as he could. In response to his undying support of the Sedgwick Ranch Reserve in the Santa Ynez mountains in California, he and his dear friend and ranch manager, Juan Figueroa, were given exclusive privileges to ride horses all over. Paul especially enjoyed hearing and singing cowboy songs with Juan's beautiful voice.

Even in his golden years Paul could recite from memory long epic poems that the rest of us could never even try to memorize. Among his favorite poets were Rudyard Kipling and Robert W. Service.

Paul was indeed a creative force. He will be missed by his many friends, family members, and employees for his generous spirit and unique ways. The stories about him are legendary. If they sound impossible, they're probably true. He was lucky to have had the love and support of his wife Sallie and his daughter Leslie in his declining years. I worked for Paul for 25 years and am grateful for my many friendships with his kith and kin that I would not have had without him.

Paul enjoyed a life well lived.

Jason Buxton

November 16, 2017

I'm sorry to hear of Paul's passing. He took a chance hiring me at PFI, and provided wonderful career opportunities while I was there. Working for him, and with the amazing team of talent he assembled, changed my life for the better.

Paul Liberatore

November 16, 2017

Worked at Paul Flum Ideas in 1969 while in college. good memories.

Jeff Howe

November 16, 2017

My sincere condolences to the Flum family. Paul hired me as a 19 year old just as he was developing the "Cool Glide" back on Washington Ave. in St. Louis. He challenged me, gave me more responsibility than I deserved, and pushed me to be the best I could be. He hired wonderful people who were extremely dedicated to he, Nancy and their company. I met my future wife while working with the company. Paul was a hard driving business leader, energetic, but very caring and generous to his employees and the community. I learned many life lessons from Paul, and will always remember him and my experiences fondly. God Bless.

Will Jenkins

November 14, 2017

I worked at Paul Flum Ideas as a supervisor in the printing department. It was a good place to work and Mr. Flum always had something nice and encouraging to say.
My condolences to his family.

Jenny Wang Vonachen

November 13, 2017

My deepest condolences to the family of Paul Flum. What a truly unique and intelligent man. I enjoyed working for him for over 12 years and learned a lot from him, he never did forget anything.

Elrena Thompson-Carter

November 13, 2017

My deepest condolences to Paul's family and loved ones. Paul was such an amazing man. I was blessed to have worked for him for over 30 years. Definitely one of a kind and influenced all who were lucky enough to have been in his path.

Mary Jane Barth

November 12, 2017

I worked in the office, for Mr. Flum, at PFI, in the '70's! I thank God for the opportunity. He was truly a man of integrity! A great sense of humor. My prayers for his family, at this time! May God bless, and help you, thru this loss.

Marjorie Pingel

November 12, 2017

Paul was a man like no other. Anyone who spent 5 minutes with him knew that. He was fueled by possibilities, unphased by obstacles, inspired by poetry, art, patriotism and a sense of responsibility for the future. His passion, enthusiasm and certainty about what he wanted was wonderful. It is why he was such a success. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.

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