Posted by Jim Simpson

KEITH FLEXMAN 1943 - 2021

The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise recently lost an outstanding member of its Norfolk community and a truly amazing Rotarian.  His life was the definition of 'Service before Self' and we will truly miss him. Rest In Peace, Keith.
 
On 24 January, the club hosted an open, on-line memorial service for family, friends, and Rotarians to celebrate his life.  This celebration was recorded and may be viewed as a top story on our club webpage ie click here
 
Keith Flexman was known and loved by a great many people from all walks of life.  Keith was a community leader, a Rotary leader, and a wonderful family man. He made a difference to everyone he met and everything he took on. He came to Norfolk as a pharmacist over 40 years ago, and immediately rolled up his sleeves and became highly involved in the community, providing leadership to move the community forward.  He was one of the instigators to establish a Fanshawe College campus in Norfolk.  Keith was a leader within the Rotary Club of Simcoe, and in 1996 he became the inaugural president of the exciting new Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise.  
 
 
 
Keith provided leadership in many ways through Rotary, both within our community and at the broader District level where he was active with Membership and Youth programming. In recent years he served as a key member of the Finance Committee with the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise.  Keith was the kind of person who could always be counted upon to get a job done, and done well.  Whether the Soapbox Derby, Spelling Bee, Car Rally, or another project, Keith took the reins and pulled it off with precision.  He was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow on more than one occasion.   
 
Keith exemplifies in spades the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self;” continuously looking for ways to lend his leadership and helping hands to assist other people in our community. One of Keith’s passions was promoting healthy lifestyles in the community, demonstrated by his involvement with Pathways for People and the use and maintenance of the Norfolk Sunrise Trail and other trails across the County.
Sometimes leaders need to pick up a microphone and rally the troops. Whenever Keith took a mic, people knew it was time to get comfortable – because it would take some time.  His Rotary friends affectionately remember this as Flex-time. 
 
In his business and professional life, Keith was a partner in the Pharmasave stores in Delhi and in Ohsweken.  He traveled abroad on 3 pharmaceutical missions to Guatemala and Nigeria with his wife Joyce, representing Trinity Anglican Church.  After retiring, Keith filled in across the province to assist other pharmacists who wanted to take some time for a vacation.
 
Keith and his wife Joyce raised 3 daughters and one son while living in Simcoe.  He leaves a very strong legacy through his family and also through the many community projects that Keith helped to establish and maintain.