Eric Flam

Eric Flam, 89, a long-time former resident of East Brunswick, NJ, died in Highland Park, Illinois after a brief illness. Eric was born in Vienna, Austria and immigrated with his mother to New York City in 1938 to escape the Holocaust. 

Eric’s educational journey began in Manhattan, where he attended Stuyvesant High School. His quest for knowledge led him to City College of New York, followed by the pursuit of a Master’s degree at Southern Methodist University and ultimately a doctorate in chemical engineering from New York University. His dedication to education not only advanced his career but also set a shining example for those around him, reflecting his belief in the importance of lifelong learning. While achieving a high academic standing, he also assisted his father in running the family's sheet metal shops in Manhattan. His pursuit of engineering was rooted in the exposure to working with his hands in learning his father’s craft.

 In his professional career, Eric worked in various defense and chemical industries but focused the bulk of his career in healthcare, specifically in medical device research and development. The start of that career was with Johnson & Johnson in North Brunswick. Among the numerous patents he filed was a device for the early detection of breast cancer. After leaving J&J, he started his own healthcare business, NTL Associates in East Brunswick, which he sustained in numerous forms for nearly 30 more years of his career. His innovative spirit and tireless work ethic greatly contributed to advances in the medical sector.

 Along with his professional accomplishments, Eric’s family brought him true joy. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 44 years, Loretta Flam, with whom they shared two children, Brenda Flam (Leigh West) and Edward Flam (Mary Lee Schneider), and grandson, Adam Flam. Eric is also survived by his brother, Bernard Flam.

 After Loretta’s passing, Eric met and later married Barbara Valerious. In Chicago, the Valerious and Flam families shared many holidays, birthdays, graduations, weddings and the birth of two great-grandchildren. Barbara and Eric together each enjoyed a second happiness through the last 15 years finding comfort with their similar life experiences and creating new ones along the way by traveling and attending the opera, concerts, and the theater and supporting all of their grandchildren’s athletic and artistic pursuits.

 Eric’s warmth and charm extended beyond his family. His active involvement in the Highland Park (NJ) Conservative Temple and Chabad of Highland Park (NJ & IL) reflected his commitment to community and faith. Eric loved the music of Elvis and Johnny Cash, and had a knack for languages. By far his favorite language was French which he would use at every opportunity through his life especially with family members and friends from France and Haiti.

 As we mourn the loss of Eric Flam, we celebrate a life enriched by love, intellect, and a relentless pursuit of happiness. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his memory will continue to inspire us through the values he lived by and the enduring bonds of family he cherished.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by The Crabiel Home for Funerals. Funeral service is TBA, please come back periodically to check on  funeral services information. In lieu of flowers/trees, please consider a donation to the following organizations in memory of Eric Flam, a scientist and a lifelong learner. Gift to the Stuyvesant High School Alumni Association, Gift to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Gift to the City College of New York.