Douglas Codere Fleming

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Fenwick High School Bowdoin College Dartmouth College

Douglas Fleming Obituary

Fleming, Douglas Codere 27 years old, a successful entrepreneur and long-distance cyclist, died July 16, 2005 of natural causes in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. Born August 19, 1977 in Hinsdale, Illinois, he grew up in Hinsdale and later lived in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles before moving to Reno, Nevada, in 2004. As a young boy, he was energetic and ready to take on any challenge. Douglas was instrumental in advancing the awareness of clean air in local schools that later helped drive legislation to improve the environment in school districts across Illinois. He was a Valedictorian of Fenwick High School, Oak Park, Illinois; a 1999 cum laude graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine; and a graduate of the Amos Tuck School of Business Bridge Program at Dartmouth College. Upon graduation, he worked for JPMorgan Chase as an investment-banking analyst and was later Vice President of Finance for PetaLogic Corporation, a designer and developer of high-speed optical interconnects. Subsequent to PetaLogic, his entrepreneurial spirit fully emerged. Douglas was a principal at Worldwide Capital and later a founding partner of IN3 Partners, Inc., an investment bank that specializes in the needs of communications and optics companies. He was also the founder of Radio-Info.com, a Web site devoted to broadcast news and information, reaching 250,000 people each month. In addition, he was the co-developer of a U.S. patent for interactive wireless telecommunications. Besides being a successful entrepreneur, he was an avid bicyclist who participated in many long-distance endurance races. Douglas loved to ride his bicycle for miles and miles and he would often say, "I think I will take a quick 50-60 mile ride . . . just to unwind." Douglas loved living in Reno due to its mountains and outdoor lifestyle. He was quick to tell anyone the many reasons to live there, including the 2-for-1 buffet coupons! Douglas was a loving individual and a person of integrity. He was also tenacious and determined to defy all odds. As an infant, he built block structures that seemed to defy gravity. As a young adult, he absorbed the world around him with passion and fought for a cleaner, more chemically free environment. Douglas always had stories to tell, vividly sharing his experiences, that most of us could only imagine. He positively impacted many people and accomplished more during his short worldly experience than most of us will in a lifetime. His legacy is held in the hearts of those he touched. Surviving are his sister, Petria Fleming; his parents, Richard and Diana Fleming; and his grandmothers, Alberta Loane and Elizabeth Fleming. Also surviving are his uncles and aunts, David Fleming, Linda Fleming, David and Pat Farrelly, and Richard and Holly Looney; his great aunt, Helen Codere; and his cousins, Dawn Fleming, Marcia Bisel, Michele Norton, Shawna Kilbert, Brittany Farrelly, Shelby Booker, Russell Looney and Reanna Looney. Memorial services will be held both on the West Coast and in Chicago, and friends and family are welcomed at either or both. The West Coast service will be held at 11:00 a.m., August 12, at St. Rose Catholic Church, 615 Vine Avenue, Roseville, California, 95678. The Chicago service will be held at 9:30 a.m., August 19, at Old Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, 700 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60661. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Child Welfare League of America (202-638-2952), Uhlich Children's Advantage Network (773-588-0180) and Safer Pest Control Project (312-641-5575).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Aug. 14, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Fleming

5 Entries

Libby Robertson

August 20, 2005

Doug was a very dear friend of mine back at Fenwick HS. The news of his passing has brought me and many others deep sadness. I close my eyes and remember our early mornings on the speech bus half asleep but ready to win. I remember his speech on life being.. "like a box of chocolates" and winning 7th place in the entire state of Illinois HS speech association tournament. I remember his speech/graduation party filled with a "Rent a Nerd" and a DJ. Doug will always have a special place in my heart and as he looks down from heaven may we all be reminded that life IS a box of chocolates and we never do know what we are gonna get. May the Lord keep and bless and protect his family. May they remain strong in the love of Jesus and trust HIS master plan.

In Great Sympathy,

Libby Robertson

Judy Block

August 18, 2005

Dear Rick and Diana - I wasn't lucky enough to have known Doug. That was definitely my loss. His life, tho far too short, was filled with accomplishment and personal growth . He really defined the expression - "live every day as if it were your last". What a wonderful son he was to you and what a remarkable path he had set out on. One cannot ever explain the losses we must endure, and this is surely the ultimate loss, but Doug's life to the point it ended on this earth was rich and full and happy. He loved his parents and sister, he loved life and his life will go on in your hearts surely and in the hearts of all of us who care for and love you and your family. P.D. and I send our sincere sympathy and pray that your sadness at this moment will be replaced with a sweet reverie of blessed memories and gratitude for the life of your wonderful son.

With great affection, Judy Block

MARY KAY AND MIKE PAURITSCH

August 16, 2005

DEAR FLEMING FAMILY,

Our family wishes to express our sadness in hearing of

Doug's death. It seems like yesterday when the kids were at Elm school and St.Isaac's. We have many wonderful memories of those times and share your terrible loss of your child. We are never prepared or ready for such a tragedy to happen. You are in our prayers and thoughts as you mourn Doug's sudden loss. May you know you raised a wonderful son that my girls remember with fond memories. May God be with you during this difficult time.

Sincerely, MIKE,Mary Kay, Katie,Colleen, and Liz

Richard Mgrdechian

August 8, 2005

I first met Doug Fleming in May of 2001 when he was referred to me as a potential VP of Finance for the optical component startup I was running at the time. I was looking for someone with an investment banking background, but even more so, for someone who was intelligent, energetic and with a phenomenal work ethic. I had already met and interviewed several highly-qualified candidates, but within five minutes of our first meeting, I knew Doug was the one.

Right from the start, Doug proved himself to be an incredibly valuable member of the team and soon became indispensable. Time after time I was amazed at his initiative, his business instincts and what he could do with little or no guidance from me or anyone else. At only 23 years old, he was already a force to be reckoned with.

Even though Doug and I had not actively worked together for the past three years, we did continue to remain close friends. In friendship, he was as reliable and as solid a person as he had been during our business relationship. I always looked forward to speaking with him and to getting together whenever we could both find the time.

I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to see Doug just two days before he passed away. Just by chance, he happened to be in town for a business meeting and he and I made it a point to get together for dinner and to spend a couple of hours catching up on everything. As usual, we had a great time. He was in good spirits, seemed to be in perfect health and was looking forward to getting back to Reno. Needless to say, the news of his death was shocking to say the least.

There are definitely plenty of things I'll always remember about Doug -- his phenomenal sense of humor, his maturity and poise, his incredible energy and the way he could juggle twenty different things at once and still have the time to get out and bike every day -- but the one thing that will always stand out in my mind will be his unlimited potential. Doug was the kind of guy who you just knew could do anything that he set his mind to. What a thrill it would have been to see where his abilities would have ultimately taken him. He will definitely be missed.

David Antoniuk

August 8, 2005

It was with great shock that I learned of Doug's passing. I will certainly miss working with him. His business knowledge was valuable and I considered him more than just a business colleague. I would like to extend my heartful sorrow to his family.

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