Douglas Flagg
Douglas (Doug) Flagg was born in Rochester, New York to Edith and Kenneth Flagg. He
attended SUNY at Albany, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics/Physics. He
began his career with Grumman Aerospace as a programmer analyst, where his work included
supporting the Apollo Project’s Lunar Landing Module. He later transferred to Virginia where he
began his work for the U.S. Navy which would span over 38 years, retiring at the age of 80. For
the Navy, Doug worked on flight simulators for the E-2, F-14, MH-53, SH-2, and the Landing
Signal Officer trainer. For the E-2 simulators, he supported both the U.S. Navy and French
Navy. He loved working at the Norfolk Naval Station, interacting with everyone from the sailors
to his programming colleagues. He was known as being extremely personable and generous,
starting every morning by greeting the enlisted person on watch on the quarter deck, and
thanking them for their service to our country with a breakfast sandwich or a cup of hot coffee.
Doug had many hobbies and passions which included classic British sports cars (especially the
Austin Healey), shortwave radios, and model trains. He loved to share stories of his own
grandfather’s work with the B&O railroad. A 1950s music aficionado, his favorite cassette tapes
were compilations that included greats such as Buddy Holly, the Four Seasons, and the
Platters.
Doug was a cat lover who was involved with stray rescue organizations and had many of his
own beloved feline pets throughout his life.
He is survived by his wife, June, son Kenneth (Penelope), daughter Cristina (Patrick), and
grandson Colin as well as his sister Deborah and brother Paul.
Doug’s family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the compassionate staff at Mercy’s
de Greef Hospice House for their gentle and loving care of Doug in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Doug’s name to de Greeff Hospice House/Hospice
Care at https://mercyhealthfoundation.net/south/ (select de Greef from the drop down menu on
the general donation page) or to the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk, Virginia,
https://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/support/give/ where Doug spent many a weekend exploring
the beautiful grounds.
Doug was a great friend who I never actually met in person. I simply shared his passion for old vacuum tube Ham radios.and our phone, text and email friendship blossomed from there. I still can’t figure out how he managed to get my name and phone number off of an eBay radio sale I made to someone else years ago. Doug never let any obstacle get in his way and I guess finding my name and number was child’s play to him. I began fixing radios for him and he began sending me a million old radio parts that have become instrumental to my restorations ever since. When you walk into my radio work room, Doug is everywhere. Virtually every radio I restore has a piece of Doug in it. He is now and forever in my heart, too.
All in our prayers!
Thanks for sharing your dad’s life with me.
On my desk there’s a photo of Doug standing next to a car (Austin-Healey) he had acquired in the 80’s and was advertising to sell. It turned out to be my original new Healey bought during my time in the army, Paris, France. Since buying the car (still have it!) Doug and I have been good friends connecting through our mutual love of Austin-Healeys, taking trips with the local car club and generally discussing things related to the car. Recently, we reconnected after a period. Now long distance phone calls, texting and emails, as he and family had moved to Missouri to be closer to their daughter and her family.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Aaah, Doug so sad to hear of your passing. I always thought we would have one last chat. You, June and Cristina were such wonderful neighbors on Sugarleaf Cove. I know you and Rick shared many airplane chats.
Before your lovely wife convinced me to become vegetarian ( still am today plus my 2 children) you used to pop over when you smelt our grill going💕…Such happy times. I remember your Commodore computer…way before PCs became ubiquitous.
My sincere condolences to you June and to all the family. I will never forget your kindness when we lived next door. I would love to talk with you when you feel in a comfortable place. Rest in Peace Doug.
With sincere condolences to your family. I’m better to have known and worked with you over the years, McDaddy, and I’ve missed those many talks we shared. May you rest in peace my friend!
Condolences and prayers up for the family. I got to work with Doug while he was at Norfolk NAS and he always made it a fun day. He’ll be missed.
Doug and I were coworkers when he was working on the E-2C trainer in Norfolk. I worked as a Contract Simulator Instructor and Doug was very helpful addressing issues we had with the instructor interface. Doug Sprague and I jokingly referred to Doug as our Dad. I will miss him and wish his family a lifetime of fond memories of a very nice man.
Doug was an old regular at my job. He liked his sandwiches made a specific way, and was always way friendly. I remembered him every sunday he would come in, and we talked often about the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, and how we were both fans of the Arts. He was a highly intelligent man, and i was so grateful to have someone like him in my life, although our friendship was mostly just a series of good morning and goodnight texts as he moved to st. louis. He was a great man who treated every person as though they had something special to offer the world, which is hard to find working in customer service. He always encouraged my studies, and made sure to send me tickets to take my grandmother to see the lights at the botanical gardens, and he ALWAYS found an art book to send me in the mail. Thank you for being one of the kindest i have ever met. I appreciate you more than you know in the small 7 years i knew you.
What a great man. He always had a smile on his face and was always so kind. He will be missed. I loved hearing his stories. Sending blessings to your family . I know he will be watching over all of us.
Doug was certainly one of the most respectful and nice man that I have ever met in my life. As we met each other he was very Nice with me even if I was just a young french technician. He was always here when I was in difficulties to learn or do something on the french E-2 trainer. He was like that with everybody, it was dug