Obituary of Daniel Houghton Flanders

Dr. Daniel H. Flanders, 72, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, April 7, 2017. Born in Albany, Dan was the son of the late Heather and Allen Flanders of Altamont. Graduating from Guilderland High School in 1962, he attended the University of Buffalo for his undergraduate studies, where he continued for his Doctorate of Dental Surgery. A captain in the US Air Force, Dan served as a dentist from 1969-1971. He attended the University of Nebraska Endodontic Residency Program and in 1973 began his career in Schenectady in endodontic private practice. He was a member and past president of the 4th District Dental Society as well as the Schenectady County Dental Society; a member of the NYS Dental Association, Schenectady Dental Study Club, American Dental Association and American Association of Endodontists. He also lectured extensively and authored articles for the New York State Dental Journal and The Journal of Endodontics and served as a member of the Malpractice Review Board for the Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company. A passionate outdoorsman who enjoyed photographing nature, Dan was an avid fly fisherman in pursuit of Brown and Rainbow Trout in rivers around the globe. Dan was an enthusiastic pilot who accrued over 4000 hours and held many ratings including CFI (flight instructor), IFR, multi-engine land commercial, single-engine land and sea. His Cessna 185, known as "Delta Fox," was his prized possession, flying her across the US and as far as Alaska, the Bahamas, and Mexico. His sense of exploration was unbridled, and with two friends they piloted a twin engine plane across the Atlantic Ocean to Scotland and back. On his last great adventure, Dan and his wife, Michelle, piloted themselves in a single engine plane across Africa. Dan was a talented woodworker, having built his own log cabin on the family island in Canada where he made over 400 water landings in Delta Fox. His cabin is where he sought peace and solitude with his family. He is survived by his wife, Michelle; his daughter, Dr. Susan Cushman (Dr. Jeremy Cushman) of Honeoye Falls; and son, Daniel Flanders Jr. of Rexford; beloved grandsons, Riley and Thomas Cushman; brothers Jim (Chris) Flanders of Scotia and Dr. John (Sharon) Flanders of Saunderstown, Rhode Island; many nieces and nephews; his aunt, Betty Jane McCabe of Cincinnati, Ohio; cousins Sheila McGuire of Cazenovia, Peter Galway of Westchester, Pennsylvania and Andrew Galway of Cincinnati, Ohio. The family would be remiss to not mention Dan's employees, three special women in his life: Teresa Coville of Scotia, Lou Ann Cleary of Rotterdam, and Frances Hoffman of Esperance. They were loyal, devoted, and always professional; he cherished them and considered them family. Dan's family would like to thank those who helped him in his cancer fight, especially the staff of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, St. Peter's Hospital, and Community Hospice of Saratoga County. In accordance with his wishes, a private celebration of his life will be arranged by his family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please perform an act of kindness in Dan's honor. Online remembrances may be made at www.fredendallfuneralhome.com.