Paul Reece Fleischacker

Paul R. Fleischacker died surrounded by family on March 20, 2014 at home in Johnston, Iowa. Deeply beloved husband of Susan, beloved father of David, Michael, Melissa and Anita, dearest brother of Marcia; adored grandfather of 12 and great grandfather of one, with many loving nieces, nephews and cousins, and many deeply treasured friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary, and his brother, Joe Leroy.

Paul grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Dowling Catholic High School (class of 1960) and Drake University (class of 1965). At Drake, he studied actuarial science. Between high school and college, he studied at Conception seminary. In 1965, Paul started his actuarial career with Stennis & Associates in Minneapolis. Then for many years he worked for Towers-Perrin, managing their actuarial consulting health care practice in Minneapolis. In 1989, he transferred to New York City to setup their first health care practice. In 1990 he met Susan and they married in 1993. That same year, he accepted a position as Chief Actuary and Vice President for Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield of New York City. In 1998, he accepted the Chief Actuary and Vice President position at High Mark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Pittsburgh.

Paul retired in 2002 and resides in West Palm Beach, Florida. He continued to be an involved actuary as a private arbitrator for the Actuarial Society of America. Throughout his career, he moderated and co-authored a number of sessions on the health insurance industry for the Actuarial Society of America. He was a long time member of the American Academy of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries, and served as Vice-Chairman for the Academy. In both, he was an active member serving on committees, hosting sessions, and co-authoring reports. He was appointed to the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline in 2008 and was elected Chairman in January 2012. He returned to his home state of Iowa to be with family where he passed away.

Since childhood Paul had a love of the outdoors, particularly lake fishing. From fishing with his siblings on Storm Lake in Iowa, to fourth and fifth generations of family spending quality time each summer at Ten Mile Lake in Minnesota, Paul and his former wife Brenda raised their children to love the outdoors and fishing. For 33 years, he was part of a motley fishing crew that each spring stormed the waters of Rainy Lake in northern Minnesota. They called themselves the “Rainy Lake Eight.”

He loved his family and friends. He was a staunch friend to all, always going out of his way to help and take care of others.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 24, 2014 at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Avenue in Des Moines, with burial to follow at Pine Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church Sunday evening from 5 to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Vigil.

Condolences for the family may be offered at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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