Harry Flaugh

Harry Lee Flaugh

August 5, 1936 – February 17, 2024

Harry Flaugh, beloved husband, father, grandfather and cherished member of the Los Alamos community passed away peacefully at home in Los Alamos Saturday  evening, Feb. 17, surrounded by his family.  His spirit and life well-lived will continue to inspire us to embrace life and all it has to offer, with the same joyful zest for life as he did his entire life.  He will be greatly missed.

Born in Orient, Iowa, to Tracie and Neva A. Flaugh, he and his family moved to Des Moines in 1946, where he met his future bride, Margaret Sherman, in the third grade.   They graduated from Lincoln High School and were married on April 13, 1956.  They then moved to Ames, where Harry graduated from Iowa State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemical engineering, and a minor in Nuclear Engineering.  He was hired by Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory in 1962 and began his career, serving as Group Leader for three different groups, Program Manager for Weapons Production and Surveillance, Deputy WX Division Leader, and Program Manager for Nuclear Weapons Dismantlement.  His retirement from LANL in 1993 was followed by over 20 years of consulting work with LANL and Pantex, bringing his work full circle from developing weapons to overseeing the safety and dismantlement of those same and similar weapons.  He really retired in 2014.

Harry and Margaret had four children and raised them with a love of the outdoors and a sense of fun and adventure.  Harry had a passion for hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, and especially skiing.   Harry began volunteering at Pajarito Mountain in 1965 and put thousands of hours of love and labor into helping it grow from rope tows and a few small runs to the great community treasure it is today.  He contributed greatly to the group effort of mapping, cutting, clearing  – and naming – the more than 40 runs we enjoy today.  When you ski Harry’s Finger, give him a shout.  He hunted for elk with family and friends for over 35 years, keeping the freezers stocked and the stories entertaining.  He took his family on adventures, jeeping on terrifying roads in Colorado mining country, fishing on serene Canadian lakes, and hiking, backpacking, camping and skiing in beautiful places everywhere.  His youthful enthusiasm was infectious and instilled an optimism and love for life in his family.

He and Margaret traveled this country and the world, often in pursuit of far-flung obscure ski slopes in beautiful new places, but also on adventures in other seasons, climates and cultures, including Chile, Argentina, the Amazon, China, Africa, Europe and the Baltic, Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal and Bali.  They would bring back wonderful souvenirs and troves of travel tales.  They loved to follow their children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors in sports and other activities and together they attended as many games and meets as they could.  He and Margaret were always in the stands or there in spirit.  They attended as many graduations as possible of their children and grandchildren, as he felt very strongly that education is important.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Tracie and Neva, and his siblings, Harold (MIA WWII), Clyde, Helen and Delores.  He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margaret; his four children: Darwin Flaugh (Lisa) of Pagosa Springs, CO; Phyllis Foley (Brian) of Los Alamos, NM; Clay Flaugh (Tangee) of Hazel Green, Alabama; and Tracy Brooks (Tim) of Albuquerque, NM; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many nephews and nieces with whom he enjoyed keeping in touch, and many friends here in Los Alamos and beyond.

The family would like to extend our deep gratitude to Harry’s long-time caregivers: Kelli Maginot of Empower PT, whose work with him improved his quality of life and who brought a breath of fresh air to our lives, and his constant caregiver, his grandson, Aidan Hendricks, who lovingly cared for him and Margaret during the past two years.   Their help was invaluable and is greatly appreciated.  Julie and Danielle with LAVNS were very helpful in his last few weeks.   We are thankful for their services.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.  A celebration of Harry’s life will be held on April 13, 2024, at 3:00 pm at the Betty Ehart Senior Center in Los Alamos.  

The family has entrusted the care of Harry to DeVargas Funeral Home of the beautiful Espanola Valley.  Condolences may be left for the family on their website guestbook, www.devargasfuneral.com, 505-747-7477.