Tributes to Joseph Flesia, DC

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Dr. Joe was the first person to open me up and help me understand the potential of chiropractic. Without him, I would have never started the newspaper, fought for subluxation-centered chiropractic or done any of the other things I do today.

It was his chart of the four phases which allowed me to see clearly the impact of subluxations on the human body, and his impact on my career and my life has been profound. 

I used to love seeing him in his Gladiator outfit, ready to teach students and doctors about chiropractic and about the need to dig down deep and tap into our well of compassion -- and yes, even laughter -- in order to bring healing to the world. He never worried about those people who didn't "get it." He was too focused on the others, the ones who understood the importance of subluxation correction and were proud of the profession and its roots.

He was, indeed, a chiropractic warrior. But more than that, he was a teacher and a mentor who taught what it truly meant to be a doctor of chiropractic.

The profession was better for his being a part of it and all of us will all miss him deeply.

-- Terry A. Rondberg, DC, President, World Chiropractic Alliance

Dr. Joe's name was frequently used in the same breath as the word "warrior" and he was truly a chiropractic warrior. He, like many warriors, was nothing short of genius. He was always prepared and his ability to motivate a crowd was a lesson for any aspiring speaker.

Yet, Dr. Joe was also an academic whose intellect never rested. He taught classes ranging from in‑depth discussions on chiropractic philosophy to physical diagnosis. His impact in the profession was profound. He gave us the lecture chart health care class and the first health care videotapes before most Americans owned a VCR. He worked with stars like Peter Graves, Lorne Greene and Tony Franciosa, but also gave a new chiropractic student the same intensity and attention.

Perhaps Dr. Joe's greatest professional contribution was the way he articulated the Five Components of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, which is taught in many colleges today. Most specifically was his intellectual contribution of the Four Phases of Subluxation Degeneration, which is now a part of the Chiropractic Lexicon.

Like a true warrior, Dr. Joe's personal life was indistinguishable from his public life. He brought the same intensity to his relationships, parenting and bodybuilding as he did to his lecturing, studying and never‑ending search for knowledge.

Joseph and I spent 10 years of our lives together, daily; travelling across the globe, weekly; and lecturing together, non‑stop. The first time I had dinner with him (pre‑ATMs), he was 17 cents short. That night he drove 25 miles to return the 17 cents.

In the '70s, he saw 300+ patients per day in his practice in Rhode Island that evolved from a medical‑model practice to a wellness‑adjustment practice. He started an academic fraternity at Palmer in the late 1950s and Renaissance in the late 1970s.

I trusted him with my life and my dreams. He would never allow himself to be in anyone's debt, but paradoxically, thousands of chiropractors and millions of people will forever be indebted to him.

I cried at his passing. I miss my friend. The world was too simple and mediocre for him. He never really understood its workings and, when he did, couldn't fathom its insanity.

He warned us about the Predicament of the Species before most knew we had a dilemma. He spoke of the Magical Child as a colorful way of reminding us what the potential of a human might be, long before anyone had declared the human potential movement. He never deviated from the Cause. But then, isn't that the definition of a warrior -- which he was even with his last breath? I will see you soon my dear friend.

 -- Guy F. Riekeman, DC, President, Life University

"It was 2001, and Dr. Corey Borck, introduced me to his mentor, Dr. Joe.  I was surprised at his height, for the image I had created for him was 6' Tall and bullet proof, he may not have been 6' tall but he was bullet proof.  Dr. Joe continually gave his all to the profession and it was a Thursday night after hours class, that Dr. Joe had come to Palmer to do.  What wonder entered my mind as I sat there in awe of such vision and passion.  His ability to teach goes unmatched by any teacher I've had.  I was so moved by his "Live for a Cause Bigger than self and live that cause with passion" quote, I created a coin in his honor for the Renaissance Club at Palmer and even adorned my Student extern cards with his words.  I will not mourn the passing of Dr. Joe, but will live for our cause (Chiropractic) and live it with every ounce of passion in my body.  Thanks for everything Dr. Joe, you are the Zeus of our profession, our chiropractic warrior."

-- Dr. Michael Hanifen, Chiropractic Warrior (in training)

Out of all of the mentors I had during my days at Palmer College, none challenged my chiropractic belief system like Dr. Joe. He opened my eyes to a vision for chiropractic that as so much larger than I ever knew. He was a man who truly gave his life, every ounce of i being for what he believed in. He could captivate a crowd with the intensity of his passion, make them laugh with his subtle jokes and animated expressions, and then silence them into a state of realization of the severity of subluxation.

At Palmer College, I became the vice-president of the Renaissance Club. I feel truly blessed to have been mentored by this chiropractic giant. Since he was my most beloved mentor of the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic, I asked him to autograph my Chiropractic Text Book. His inscription was powerful. He wrote:

"In future times when you look back on the signing of this book… What “signature” will you have left on the world?

As a student doctor you have chosen the path of the Chiropractic Warrior to protect and honor our beloved profession and the people we serve.

In future times, it is my hope that you may look back over the years of your life and be pleased with your service to the legacy…. whose purpose is, to release the Innate perfection within…. so that it may manifest in the lives of the many… changing their lives….. and, also, the world they call home."

I thank God for allowing Dr. Joe to cross my path. He didn't pretend to be someone he wasn't. He was brutally honest, absolutely sincere, and he lived his life with a passion few could even dream of. He lived and loved this profession with everything within him. He has passed on the torch of pure chiropractic that has been handed down through the ages. And now our generation we must guard this sacred trust and carry it on. Though Dr. Joe will be missed, his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those whose lives he touched.

-- Rick Montgomery D.C.

As the former President of the Palmer Renaissance Club I was very fortunate
to have spent time with Dr. Joe.  When I would pick Dr. Joe up from the
airport he would greet me with a warriors hug (as he did everyone) and would ask how my family was.  We would talk Chiropractic, life and death and
everything in between.  He wanted people to succeed in life as well as
Chiropractic.  For me Dr. Joe will live on in my children, my daughter is
named Flesia and her twin brother is named Ethan Joseph, to honor the man
who inspired and changed my life.  Dr. Joe I will miss you, you have passed
the torch to me and I will run as fast as I can until I can run no more, not

in your memory, not for my gain, but for the advancement of the human race.

-- Corey J Borck D.C.

 I worked for Dr. Flesia in the days when we had the honor system. ( THE BOX ).
Back then Chiropractors could not put ads in the paper. So Joe had to figure out a way to tell everyone. He started a group called P.A.C.E. I was president and we would talk to different groups. He also would write all about chiropractic and what it could do for you and I would sign my name and put it in the paper. Joe and his wife Doris stood up for me when I got married. After we got married Joe and I went to put the ad in the paper and Doris left with my new husband to go to a  restaurant and wait for us.

I have many memories of Dr. Flesia. He will be missed.

-- Lucille