Dr. Flynn was a life-long educator, devoting a 51-year career to improving student achievement as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in three states before coming to Murray State University where he taught graduate school for 14 years.
He was a native of Clinton, Ind.
He is survived by his wife, Betsy; daughters Lisa Clark of Wilmington, N.C., and Stephanie Flynn of Grand Junction, Colo.; and stepdaughters Amy Peoples of San Jose, Calif., and Deborah Buchanan of Nashville, Tenn.; sons Erik Flynn of Sydney, Australia, Channing Flynn of Los Gatos, Calif.; and Ryan Flynn of Laurel, Md.; step-son Dan Hudson and wife Suzanne of Murray; adopted son and daughter Am and Yuri Chetawatee of Murray; 13 grandchildren, two adopted grandchildren, and three great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and wives Greer Morgan Flynn and Sandra Beck Flynn.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to a charitable foundation established by Richard and Betsy’s children, the Dr. Richard F. Flynn Charitable Foundation c/o Fidelity Charitable, P.O. Box 770001, Cincinnati, OH 45277-0053, reference The Dr. Richard F. Flynn Charitable Foundation, A/C 1047770.
At Dr. Flynn’s request, there will be no service or visitation, but the family will host guests at their home at 2116 Country Road, Murray, KY 42071 on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 4:30 to 7 pm.
The family would also appreciate written remembrances of Richard to be compiled as a keepsake; those may be brought to the home or mailed to the above address.
