Paul Edward Flathman, 71, of Bascom, passed away Monday afternoon, November 14, 2011 at his home surrounded by friends and family.

On October 6, 1940, in Bay Shore, Long Island, NY, he was born to Edward & Esther (Thompson) Flathman. His parents preceded him in death. He married Marlene Rose Sines on July 15, 1967 at Camp Lakota Boy Scout Camp in Defiance, Ohio. As a member of the Boy Scout's of America he met his future wife Marlene while he was washing dishes one summer at the camp. She preceded him in death on October 6, 2001. .


Survivors include two sons; Todd E. (Josephine Tran) Flathman of New York City, NY and Mark E. (Stephanie Bolson) Flathman of Portland, OR; one daughter; Anna T. (Larry D. Booth, Jr.) Flathman of Toledo, OH; and a sister; Linda (Martin) Kurdt of Frederick, MD.
Paul graduated from The Defiance College, Defiance, Ohio in 1963 with a B.S. in biology/ chemistry and earned an M.S. in microbiology in 1974 from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio. Paul achieved Class III (Advanced) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and Laboratory Analyst with the Ohio EPA. A Registered Microbiologist, National Registry of Microbiologists, American Academy of Microbiology since 1974. 1996 - Recipient of the Defiance College Alumni Achievement Award, in recognition of outstanding achievement and of exemplary service to mankind. Paul was the 1991 recipient of the James L. Kirk Award (OHM Corp.) for outstanding achievements in the field of environmental technology and science and the 1985 recipient of the Ohio Water Pollution Control Conference's F.H. Waring Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of industrial waste control. Paul also co-wrote a book Bioremediation: Field Experience as well as multiple periodicals relating to his field. Paul was Senior Project Microbiologist for OHM Corporation for over twenty years based in Findlay, Ohio. During his time at OHM Corp. he worked all over the United States.

He taught science at The Defiance High School, Defiance, Ohio. While teaching at Heidelberg University, Tiffin, Ohio, Paul worked for two seasons onboard a 122-foot converted U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender performing limnological studies of the near shore zone of lake Erie in conjunction with the USEPA. During the time that Paul worked at the University of Findlay he traveled to Lagos, Nigeria - "The Niger Delta" to assist in the cleanup of petroleum-contaminated soils for the Nigerian government. His most recent position was at Owens Community College in Findlay, Ohio. Paul was an instructor as well as tutor.


Paul's hobbies included scuba diving with a local dive club, photography, deep-sea fishing, bird watching and biking. He had a brown belt in karate and ran the Cleveland, Dayton, and Columbus marathons as well as other multi-mile races. He was a HAM radio operator and as a teenager worked on fishing boats off Long Island. "I always wanted to work on the water. In the summer of 1955, I asked Captain Ted Nikitin if I could work for him on his charter fishing boat, the "Four Winds," as First Mate. Work began that fall with flounders in the bay and codfish off shore and up to skim ice in the bay, which was at Christmas time. We would troll the surf for bluefish and go offshore for bluefin tuna. "The Wonder Years."

His funeral service will be Saturday, November 19, 2011, at 11:00 A.M., at the funeral home, with Rev. James Kent officiating. Burial will be at a later date.

Friends may visit with the family on Friday, November 18, 2011 from 4-8:00 P.M and from 10-11:00 A.M. and on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bridge Hospice.

Condolences may be sent and the guest book signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.