Arsdel Louvaine Fluesmeier, a long time resident of Coupeville, Washington passed away surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 29, 2012. He was born June 23, 1921 in Defiance, Mo. “Flues” as he was known to family and friends was the oldest of six children born to Arsdel L. and Nan Elizabeth Lowery Fluesmeier. Flues was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Luckett (Bub) Fluesmeier and infant daughter Gay Elizabeth. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Eva Zwirnmann Fluesmeier, son John Bruce (Kathy), of Columbia, Mo.; daughter Jean Ann Kurisu (Kord) and his beloved granddaughter Kayla Patricia Kurisu, of Mukilteo and his four remaining siblings; brother Jack Fluesmeier (Doris); sisters Betty Akers (Don), Mary Barnes (Claude) and Pat Koch all of Missouri.

Flues was a veteran of WWII. He was the radio operator on a B-17 in the 8th Air Force, part of the 384th Bomb Group, and flew 29 missions over Germany. After the war Flues finished his studies at the University of Missouri and graduated as a Metallurgical Chemist. He went on to work for the Cerro de Pasco Corporation in Peru where he and Eva met and married. Several years later Flues worked for the Nicaro Nickel and Lead Mining Company in Nicaro, Cuba. He and his young family were evacuated in 1958 by the U.S.Navy to Guantanamo Bay when Castro took over the lead mines. They returned to the United States and settled in Miami, Okla. where he worked as a Research Chemist for 25 years with Eagle Picher. After retiring in 1985 he and Eva settled in Coupeville.

Flues was a licensed Ham Radio operator. He built his own transmitter when he was a teenager and had contacts all over the world. He was a member of the Whidbey Island Ham Lunch Bunch. Flues was also an avid and talented photographer publishing one book on backyard birds of Whidbey Island. Birds, wildlife and flowers were his favorite subjects.

Flues was past president of the Miami Oklahoma Rotary Club and a member of the executive board of the United Methodist Church and numerous committees in Miami, Okla. and also volunteered in the Boy Scouts with his son.

Per his wishes, there will not be a memorial service. Donations in his memory may be made to: The WAIF animal shelter on Whidbey, 20168 Hwy. 20, Coupeville, WA 98239 or www.waifanimals.org