Beloved father and respected physician Dr. Dale Bertram Flickinger Jr. passed away Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at his home in Minot.

Dale was born January 4, 1928, in New York City, New York to Dale and Vera (Campbell) Flickinger.  He spent his childhood in Toledo, Ohio.  He attended Purdue University for one year before entering the service in 1946.  He earned the rank of Sergeant as a Rawinsonde operator tech.  He received a Bachelor of Sciences degree in biology and chemistry at the University of Toledo in Ohio, and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.  He then went on to earn a medical degree at Ohio State University on the G.I. Bill.  He met and fell in love with Zoanne Bishop there, and they married in 1952.

He served his internship at Harvard Surgical Service, and did his residency at Boston City Hospital, including a research fellowship in surgery at Harvard Medical School, where he was Chief Resident in 1959 - 60.  He was certified by the American Board of Surgery in general surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

He then moved to Minot, where he began his life of service to others.  He began his practice with the Great Plains Clinic in 1960.  That year he joined the Trinity Hospital staff as a general surgeon, and he served there for 36 years.  He was Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Trinity and St. Joseph's Hospital for many years.  He was Chief of Medical Staff at Trinity in 1984.  He also served on the Board of Directors at St. Joseph's Hospital.  He joined the Medical Arts Clinic in 1962, where he became a partner and was Chairman of the Board more than once.

He was a career-long advocate for cancer research, and had a dream that a cure for cancer would be found during his lifetime.  He was President of the American Cancer Society's North Dakota chapter from 1973 – 75.  He was a member of the Christian Medical Society, and was a committed pro-life doctor.

He served his professional community in many capacities.  He was a Clinical Professor of Surgery for UND School of Medicine, and a teacher for the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1976.  He was the President of the ND chapter of the American College of Surgeons in 1971, and a regular speaker at physician conferences for them.  He was on the Blue Shield Board of Directors in 1985.  He was a member of the American Medical Association, the NY Academy of Sciences, the Northwest District Medical Society, and the ND Medical Society.  He was also a member of the ND Ethics Commission.

He served Minot through both his medical practice and his community service.  He was a Y's Man, which supported Y Camp, did Christmas tree sales and the rodeo.  A devout Christian, he taught Sunday school at Our Redeemer's, was active in a Bible study, and was a lay minister of Stephen Ministry. He enjoyed playing bridge, golf, reading, and classical music.  His colleagues remember him as an excellent surgeon, a square–shooter, and a kind, loyal, trustworthy, gentleman who was deeply in love with his wife.

He will be greatly missed by his surviving family: sons Dale Flickinger III of Memphis, Tennessee, Charles (Kathy) Flickinger, of Jackson, Wyoming, and William (Mary) Flickinger of Moorhead, Minnesota; daughters Dr. Susan (Langer) Gokey of Minot, Bonnie (Marijan) Kovacevich of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and Holly (Doug) Brown of Frederick, Maryland. He was a grandfather to 18 grandchildren.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, wife Zoanne, and his brother Vernon.

Funeral service: Saturday, May 8, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Brethren Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: At the request of family, there will be no reviewal, however friends may sign a memorial register book Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home in Minot.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, to Trinity Hospice, or to the Rejoice, Renew, Rebuild project at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Brethren Church, Minot.