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In Memory of Richard Flagg May 21, 1940 - September 8, 2003

In an operating room of Meadowlands Hospital, Jersey City, New Jersey, Santusht Perera cut out two lobes of Richard's healthy right lung rather than the diseased lower lobe of Richard's left lung. This mistake left behind a tumor that had bled twice before both times sending Richard to the emergency room. Richard suffered for 3 years and 3 days, tethered to oxygen tanks and taking medications to stabilize his heart that was no longer getting enough air until that tumor ruptured and Richard suffocated to death as his lungs filled with blood. Richard's surgeon altered his office record to create a defense based upon "surgical judgment" rather than admit his mistake.

This photograph shows Richard's office record under infrared testing that shows that two different inks were used in writing this office note. The doctor claimed that he wrote the entire note during Richard's office visit.

Richard was a veteran of the Vietnam War and had served in the United States Air Force for 8 years. Richard was a hard working captain in the merchant marines. Richard loved boating, fishing and socializing with his many good friends. Richard is survived by his son Rick Flagg, Jr. and Edie Bickoff who loved and cared for him until Richard's death separated them. We all miss Richard's exuberant personality and good cheer.