Fleck, Marion Rohovec Dr.
Dr. Marion Rohovec Fleck died August 28 one week before her 100th birthday. A long-time resident of Albuquerque Marion was born in Fennimore, Wisconsin where she lived until graduating high school. Marion received a BA in education from UNM in 1937 and taught at Albuquerque and Belen High Schools until WWII motivated Marion to become a nurse. She earned an MA degree from Yale School of Nursing, eventually returning to New Mexico to a career combining nursing and education.
She was Director of Health and Nursing Services in Albuquerque Public Schools from 1957 to 1974 and earned a PhD in 1970 from UNM. Marion and colleague Mary Jane Carter developed the plan and curriculum for the College of Nursing at UNM, secured funding for it and saw the UNM College of Nursing into reality. Marion served the college as a Professor, Special Assistant for Graduate Programs and Acting Dean.
Nationally, Dr. Fleck was active in the American Nursing Association from 1953-1972. She served ANA as an officer and member of numerous committees. She served on the Board of Trustees of the American Nursing Foundation and the American School Health Association. For her many and significant contributions to the field of nursing, Marion was honored multiple times locally and nationally. Among such recognitions are the Yale School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award and the New Mexico State Distinguished Service Award. In 2002, Dr. Fleck was the first to be named by March of Dimes as a Legend in Nursing.
Marion was married to Dr. Martin W. Fleck, UNM Biology Professor and popular public speaker. For their contributions to the community the couple received the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation Award for Excellence.
Preceded in death by her husband Martin and brother Marvin Rohovec and his wife Lucy, Marion is survived by extended families of both: Dr. Martin and Lois Fleck and family of Houston, Drs. Annehara and John Tatschl and family of Overland Park, Kansas; Dr. Jim and Jane Rohovec Bowen and family of Austin; and in New Mexico, Dr. John Rohovec and Linda Brewer of Silver City, Ann Rohovec of Mesilla, and Lee Rohovec and family of Alamogordo. Importantly, Marion is survived by countless nurses who have benefited from her dedication to quality education for nurses in New Mexico, her successful efforts through national platforms establishing the value of nursing as a career and for setting its professional and economic standards. Nurses across the nation have been inspired by Marion Fleck as an example, mentor and friend.
Memorial gifts can be mailed to UNM College of Nursing, UNM Foundation, Two Woodward Center, 700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 108, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Donations can be made online to Carter/Fleck Endowed Professorship in Nursing at www.unmfund.org/ carter-fleck or to the UNM Nursing Legacy Fund at www. unmfund.org/nlf for nursing student scholarships. A memorial service will be held October 18 at 4 PM at the Alumni Chapel on the UNM campus.