Mr. Eric Arland "Rick" Fluman

Eric Arland “Rick” Fluman, 62, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on July 20, 1960. He passed away suddenly in Lakeland, Florida on July 18, 2023. He was the beloved second son to Albert H Fluman II and Delores Finn Fluman. Rick is survived by his wife of 39 years, Anita Wofford Fluman; two children, Joshua Eric Fluman and Sarah Elizabeth Cline (Aaron); two grandchildren, Johnathon and Evelyn Reiners; siblings, Albert H Fluman III (Kris), Brandan Elliott Fluman (Karen), and Amy Fluman Rettig (Jeff), as well as his multiple nieces and nephews. We will all miss him dearly. Rick grew up in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania and graduated from Lower Dauphin High School in 1978. Even though he moved away from his hometown years ago, Rick always considered this beautiful spot one of his favorite places and cherished his many friends from there. He grew up during the flooding of Hurricane Agnes and the uncertainty of Three Mile Island. He was an avid supporter of his yearly neighborhood Kokomo Open Golf Tournament. Rick proudly served in the United States Air Force (1983 – 1992) with duty stations in Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; Kunsan Airbase, South Korea; and Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona. He continued his public service and retired as a Deputy Sheriff from Polk County Sheriff’s Department (1993-2016). After his law enforcement retirement, he worked as a Security Officer with Lakeland Regional Medical Center (2016-2021). Rick’s special places on earth were his family’s “Homeland” of Switzerland and Tucson, Arizona where the family fell in love with the desert views and the Catalina Mountains. He was an avid weather geek and followed the daily forecasts. He enjoyed camping, hiking the Appalachian Trail, and driving the rail buggy on forest roads with his wife, family, and friends. He cheered on the Tampa Bay Lightning and was a fan of the game of hockey, fondly remembering his own personal ice-skating rink that his Dad built in the family backyard along the Swatara Creek. Rick delighted in attending the AH Fluman Family Reunion and had hundreds of cousins. Most of all, he adored and cherished his wonderful grandchildren. Rick was known for his sense of humor, dry wit, and joy of life. He certainly was a “character”! There was a sincere and sentimental side to him. Being a follower of Christ was a focal point of everything he did. He has been described as a great man of faith, an outstanding husband, a devoted father, a loving son, and a super Poppy. A visitation will be held Friday, July 21, 2023 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home at 1727 Bartow Road, Lakeland, Florida. Celebration of Life Service will be held July 22, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Believer’s Fellowship Church at 5240 N. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S), American Heart Association, or plant a tree in his honor.

Mr. Eric Arland "Rick" Fluman

July 20, 1960 - July 18, 2023