WILLITS, Calif. – Family and friends were saddened to learn of the death of Dale Flanagin, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006, in Eureka, Calif. He was born May 3, 1935, in Presque Isle, to Hadley and Ella Flanagin. A resident of Willits, Calif. since 1997, Dale was active in civic affairs and well known for the many generous and kind acts he performed in a very quiet way. Dale grew up in Washburn. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 and he attended the University of Maine from 1957-1961, in their education department. His career began as an insurance adjuster, first in Presque Isle and later in San Jose after he moved to California in 1971, where he was employed as an adjuster for California Mutual Insurance Company. In 1972, Dale started his own business, Flanagin Enterprises, serving insurance and risk management companies and later became an antique buyer for Dudley’s Ltd. in Los Gatos, appraising and purchasing antique furniture, fine art, silver and other items. When he moved to Willits in 1997, he continued his business in antiques, purchasing estate sales and reselling fine furniture, paintings, porcelain, silver, oriental rugs and other antique items. A member of the Willits Rotary Club, Dale served as president of the service club in 2003 and 2004, where his focus project was the restoration of the Seabiscuit barn at Ridgewood Ranch. As a result of the book and movie about Seabiscuit that year, Dale’s hard work and long hours with his construction crew of Rotarians became the focus of many tours through the ranch, where Seabiscuit was born and brought a new awareness of Willits as a tourist destination. Dale had a lifelong love of dogs and horses and enjoyed riding and showing his Arabians. He also was known for giving a hand to someone in need, for his consideration of people during times of trouble and for his unique sense of humor. Dale is survived by his children, Cyndra Flanagin of San Diego, Calif. and Michael Flanagin of San Jose, Calif. Memorial services are being planned and will be announced at a later time.