In 2011, The Luzerne Foundation Board of Directors renamed its legacy membership group The Rusty Flack Society in honor of the late Charles D. Flack, Jr. “Rusty” was a founding member of The Luzerne Foundation, longtime board member, and community philanthropist. The Rusty Flack Society is a membership list of those who have named The Luzerne Foundation as the beneficiary of any type of planned or deferred gift and who choose to be listed. There is no minimum amount needed to qualify and, to date, The Foundation has received bequests, or is aware of future bequests or other types of planned gifts ranging from $1,000 to $1,000,000 from The Rusty Flack Society members. These gifts support numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the community.
The importance of creating a lasting legacy that will continue to have impact for generations led Rusty and his family to establish The Flack Family Fund at the Luzerne Foundation and the NEPA Philharmonic/ Flack Family Fund. “Rusty always talked about the importance of doing something today that would grow and last for years to come,” said Charles Barber, former President and CEO of The Luzerne Foundation. “Associating his name with this legacy society is a fitting tribute to him and his family and it serves as a reminder of The Foundation’s mission to support the community far into the future.”
Rusty Flack was a founding Board Member, past chairman, and board member of The Luzerne Foundation. He received the Mary Bevevino Award for Community Service from The Foundation in 2009. He was Chairman and CEO of Diamond Consolidated Industries, a fourth-generation family-owned business founded in 1915. Rusty’s credo to “always do the right thing” earned the company recognition as one of the Best Places to Work in PA as well as numerous industry awards.
Rusty’s contributions to the community were legion and included not only generous financial contributions, but also donations of his time and expertise to many organizations. He served as the Chairman of the Wyoming Valley Health Care System; Board Chairman of Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School; and served on the Boards of Misericordia University, Oak Lawn Cemetery Association, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, First Liberty Bank, and Eastern Insurance Group. He was the chairman of the international World Perforating Conference five times (’95, ’98, ’01, ’04 and ’07.)
The Association of Fundraising Professionals named the Flack family Philanthropists of the Year in 2001. Rusty received the Junior Achievement Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007, the Susquehanna University Outstanding Alumni Award in 2005, as well as the B’nai B’rith Community Service Award in 2004.
2024 Rusty Flack Society Gathering
