Richard William Flentge

Richard William Flentge II passed away peacefully at his home on October 8, 2025. He had just celebrated his 62nd birthday. Richard was born in Cape Girardeau, graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and was a lifelong Redhawks fan. He enjoyed a diverse career throughout his life as a salesman, entrepreneur, author, and educator. His career began with Beecham Products in St. Louis, MO and he started Checker Products in Benton, KY in 1993 where he received 2 patents for his work designing a composite truck bed cover for improving gas mileage and storage capacities for modern pickup trucks. His truck bed covers were sold worldwide and can still be found today. He loved Kentucky Lake, especially boating, and spending time outdoors taking his sons hunting and fishing. He was highly involved in the community, served as the President of Marshall County Rotary International, and his time in Kentucky brought wonderful memories with his family and friends. After moving back to Cape Girardeau in 2006, Rich became the co-host and convention manager for Electric Vehicle Television, EV-TV, alongside his beloved friend Jack Rickard. His webcasts and segments can still be viewed at EVTV.me. Rich was the author of ten books and is best known for Mule Tack: How Missouri became the official State of the Mule. His other books include ZAT: How to survive the Apocalypse and not freak out and WAMBE: A single page of good advice. His books are known for getting readers outside the box and thinking about new paradigms. Rich was also a web writer and blogger, maintaining a successful forum that reached over 50,000 visits per month and 2,500 readers. Richard, affectionately called Richie, was a strong proponent of sustainable energy as key solutions to climate change and frequently wrote and was an international podcast guest on topics of climate change, electric battery technology, and solar innovations. He actively researched ancient archeology and Biblical prophecy, the evidence of which are frequently featured in his various writings. Rich survived several heart attacks, open heart surgeries, and was a near-death-experience survivor after being resuscitated from a 40-minute cardiac arrest in 2021. He often embedded these experiences in his writing and spoke to the deeper meanings of life and the human condition. Richard was an active member of St. Mary's Cathedral, the Cape Girardeau Elk's Lodge (No. 639), Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International, and the Missouri Writers Guild. His hobbies included woodworking, craftbuilding, storytelling, photography, and a lifelong love of the outdoors. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Richard William Flentge I (d. 1995), and his mother, Mary Sue Capshaw (d. 2022). He is survived by his wife, Ellen (Hahs) Flentge, married February 2, 2020; three sons of whom he was extremely proud: Gibson, Coleman, and Brody Flentge; grandchildren Easton and Cooper Flentge; and sisters Cathy Tenkoff, Patty (Todd) Lay, and Mary Gaye (Mike) Banas. Richard was a beloved father, grandfather, husband, and brother. He loved Cape Girardeau and was passionate about local history. He will be remembered for his unique wit and humor, wisdom he was always eager to share, and his appreciation for every day he was given. He is often quoted for saying, "There are people who believe in God, and those who know God. I know there is a God." Visitation will be held 9:00-10:30AM on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 am Friday, October 24, 2025 at St. Mary Cathedral in Cape Girardeau, officiated by Father Hiett. Interment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery, where he will be at rest with his parents. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

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Richard William Flentge

October 7, 1963 - October 8, 2025