Hertha “Tah” E. Flack, age 102 of Tryon, NC, died in her home at Tryon Estates under the care of Hospice on Saturday, March 23, 2019.   

 

Born in 1916 in Cleveland, OH, Tah lived as a child in Mt. Vernon, NY, with her sister Greta and their parents, Sonya and Hugo Eisenmenger. Later, her mother married Ernst Weber, a noted engineer and educator. “Sonny” and Ernst became Tryon residents in the 1970s. 

 

Tah was fluent in German and English, having traveled worldwide throughout her life, including many trips to visit Austrian relatives and her ancestral home. She developed a deep interest in dance, music, and art, which she freely shared with her friends and family. She painted avidly later in life with watercolors and acrylic, showing her work at the Tryon Fine Arts Center and other venues throughout the Southeast. Tah was a tireless hiker and published a book with her husband Jim Flack about their exploits in 1983, Ambling and Scrambling on the Appalachian Trail. Most notably, and to the delight of many, she had unwavering opinions about everything — sometimes with conflicting variations. 

 

When Jim and Tah’s four active children were young, Tah held her own in golf, horseback riding, and tennis (backhand notwithstanding). Additionally, Tah oversaw her kids in all sorts of activities; e.g., pet tending (dogs, cats, chickens, and squirrels), scouting, hiking, camping, and skiing activities.  

 

Once the children were grown, Tah and Jim worked together to establish and support several community organizations, such as FENCE, the Hospital Foundation, and the Community Foundation, among others.  

 

Tah received her BA from Swarthmore College. In 1942 she received a master’s degree from Yale Nursing School where she met and married James M. Flack. During WW II, the couple was stationed in five cities as Jim received his wings and then trained Navy pilots. Following the war, Jim pursued a successful executive career, which also required relocations. Tah moved the family 16 times in 20 years. In 1955, the nomadic life ended in Tryon, which became Tah’s home for the rest of her life. Jim died in 1989, age 75, while on tour in Moscow.  

 

In 1993, Tah married Wray Monroe, a dentist and longtime Tryon resident. By all accounts, they had a wonderful “second wind” until Wray died in 2001, age 94. Tah moved to Tryon Estates in 2004 and enjoyed the companionship of friends until her death.  

 

Tah is survived by four children and their spouses: James M. Flack II (Betsy)—San Francisco, Sonya “Karen” Bonnell (Tom)—New Jersey, Robert Flack (Fran)—Boston, and Suzanne “Tita” Young (Tom)—Boulder; ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. 

  

Funeral services and interment will take place beginning at 10:30 AM on Thursday March 28 at the Chapel of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 150 Melrose Avenue, Tryon, NC. A reception will follow at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. In lieu of flowers, please honor Tah with donations to FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center), Hospice of Carolina Foothills, or Tryon Fine Arts Center. 

 

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com 

 

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory 

Tryon, NC