In Remembrance

Charles Harry Fleck

June 25, 1931 ~ October 20, 2024 

It is with great sadness that NASBP announces the passing on October 20, 2024, of Charles "Charlie" Harry Fleck, 93. He served as NASBP President from 1991-1992 and presided over the Association's 50th Anniversary celebration that NASBP members still reminisce about today. In 1995 he was awarded the prestigious NASBP Bruce T. Wallace award. Before retiring he was with the HRH of Denver agency.

Terry Payne, Chairman of NASBP member PayneWest Insurance, MMA Northwest Region, said, “Charlie Fleck and I were active members of NASBP together and became close friends. Charlie was not only a real surety professional, but also he was a warm and engaging leader and friend. My wife, Patt, and I spent many fun times with Charlie and his wife, Liz, at NASBP events. As an example of our friendship, Charlie and Liz indulged me in attending the movie, "Wayne's World," in Colorado when I was with him collaborating and planning the program for the 1992 NASBP Annual Meeting that Charlie hosted. Charlie was a unique, caring individual and leader who made our industry better.”

Sarah Finn, NASBP Retired Surety Professional, said, "I met Charlie when I first got into the surety business as an underwriter. He was both kind and professional, and I thought very highly of him."

Retired surety underwriter George Holbrook said he first met Charlie when he was 50. Holbrook explained, "I first met Charlie in 1981 when we were jousting over a Wyoming contractor account. In the ensuing 44 years, he became a highly valued business associate and a close personal friend. Charlie was an excellent bond producer the entirety of his career. He was the perfect 'bridge' in conveying the aspirations of his contractor clients and the informational needs of his surety clients. Of the number of things in which he took pride, amongst the foremost were his term as President of NASBP, his advocacy thereof, and his place as a founding member of the Beaded Belt Club–a group comprised of eight prominent surety professionals, seven of whom were NASBP bond producers and of those seven, six were NASBP Past Presidents. Formed in 1997, the group met annually for the next 25 years, for five days of golf, cards, cigars, an occasional drink, and hours of conversation on the 'glories' of years past and the 'sad state' of current affairs. He regularly cited the Beaded Belt Club as the highlight of his career. Charlie Fleck made NASBP a better place."

Charlie was born in Newark, NJ. He was the son of first generation immigrants. He graduated from Trenton State College, where he played football and went on to attend Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. Charlie then served as a Marine 1st Lieutenant during the Korean War. Upon his return from service, he started his career with Travelers. After being offered another job opportunity, he and Liz moved their growing family to California. In 1970 they moved to Colorado where he had a long and successful career in the surety and insurance business. He served as NASBP President from 1991-1992. The year he retired, in 1995, he received the Bruce T. Wallace Award. He made close and long-lasting friendships throughout his career in the surety and construction industries. He cherished his family, which included his wife of 69 years, Liz Fleck, his four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. 

In November his family held a funeral and celebration of Charlie's life in Denver, CO.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers that friends and colleagues share a kindness of some form to others.

For more information, read these obituaries: https://www.denverpost.com/obituaries/charles-harry-fleck-littleton-co/ and https://www.drinkwinemortuary.com/obituary/Charles-Fleck#obituary.

The NASBP Leadership and staff extend their deepest condolences to Charlie's family, colleagues, and friends.