Daniel Flickinger

Daniel Flickinger, aged 30343 days, passed away peacefully at home in Saint George, Utah on March 7, 2023. He was born February 8, 1940, to Maynard Kurtz Flickinger and Evelyn Spitzer Newton, in Hudson, Ohio.

Daniel attended Harvard University, class of 1962. He also had a long love of flying both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, which led to him being recruited as a pilot for government agencies with a strong presence in foreign locations. Or in his own words, he “spent a few years skippering some of Uncle’s non-housebroken political attitude adjustment teams”.

With a strong interest in electronics and early computer systems, he founded Daniel N. Flickinger and Associates in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the 1960s. Known for the legendary and highly revered Flickinger console, which was a technological marvel ahead of its time. He installed many of the era’s most impactful music recording consoles, some of which are still in use today. From this work, he held several patents in technologies with a lasting effect on how we enjoy music. Notable among these is the parametric equalizer, now a common feature on modern equipment. Leveraging a high-performance operational amplifier of his own design to achieve filtering circuits that were impossible before. He worked with many well-known contemporary artists, such as The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Sly Stone, and Curtis Mayfield, among others. In the late 1970s he shifted focus to software development, pushing technological advances in database systems and desktop publishing, and supporting the creation of the Internet. His pioneering word processor, XED, had millions of users throughout many large companies and government agencies.

For decades, Daniel loved to build and ride Harley Davidson motorcycles; and went by the adage “Live to ride, ride to live”. He spent long afternoons riding the highways along the coast of Southern California. He also flew his Piper Navajo all over the country, and even into Mexico on a few occasions. A world traveler, he visited the majority of countries across Europe and Asia, including places that he’s never been to. Finally, he settled down in Saint George, Utah, where he spent the last 25 years as a troglodyte in the high desert paradise of Winchester Hills.

Quick to offend everyone, yet also able to befriend anyone, he was highly intelligent and made an impact on many lives. Shot at, crashed into, and going down with a couple failing aircraft, he survived everything and eventually arrived at a quiet end, surrounded by his loved ones.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Daño Flickinger, and his children: Erik; Bradford; Daniel, Anika, Katarina, and April; plus seven grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved sister, Candy Rhode.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Daniel’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com