Generations in the Making: The Flegel Family
Like a finely crafted heirloom or a work of art made to endure, the most lasting things are shaped with care and meant to be passed from one generation to the next.
For the Flegel family, that same sense of continuity has shaped their involvement in the Racine community. Through business, civic leadership, philanthropy, and volunteer service, the family has invested in the institutions and organizations that help shape the community. At the Racine Art Museum (RAM), that tradition has been especially connected to the family’s appreciation for art—and to the lasting influence of Judi Flegel (1938–2015).
The family’s Racine roots are closely tied to Reliance Controls Corporation, the Flegel family-owned manufacturing company based in Racine. Founded in 1909 by Benjamin Franklin Flegel, a watchmaker and tinkerer, the company is now in its fourth generation of Flegel family ownership and leadership. Its history reflects values of innovation, responsibility, and long-term stewardship. Those same principles have shaped the family’s approach to community involvement well beyond the business.
David “Dave” Flegel, Benjamin’s grandson, has been a central part of that tradition. Together with his late wife, Judi, he raised a family that embraced civic participation and giving back. Judi brought her own distinctive interests to that commitment. An avid reader, gardener, traveler, and lifelong learner, she had a keen eye for beauty and a deep curiosity about the world around her. Her appreciation for art eventually became an important part of her connection to RAM.
Judi served on the RAM board and chaired its Accessions and Exhibitions Committee, where she helped guide decisions about the museum’s collection and exhibitions. Her involvement reflected a genuine interest in artists and their work, as well as a belief in the museum’s role in bringing contemporary craft to the public. For Judi, supporting RAM was both an opportunity to contribute and a way to engage more deeply with a subject she loved.
Following Judi’s passing in 2015, Dave continued his support of RAM in her memory. Their children, Ben and Lora, have also remained involved with RAM, extending the family’s connection to the museum into another generation. Ben became an active part of the museum’s leadership, serving on the board and as Treasurer. Today, the Flegel family remains involved as members, donors, and patrons, carrying forward a connection to RAM that began with Judi’s enthusiasm and has grown into a broader family tradition.
That support has left a tangible mark on the museum. The Judith and David Flegel Fund has helped support exhibitions and acquisitions, while works have been added to RAM’s permanent collection in Judi’s memory. Among them is a custom rocking chair by renowned artist Sam Maloof, one of the 20th century’s most influential woodworkers. With its handcrafted form, the rocker reflects Judi’s appreciation for artists who transform materials through skill and imagination, as well as the family’s appreciation for craft and enduring work.
For the Flegels, philanthropy is closely intertwined with participation. Their support of RAM encompasses not only financial contributions, but also board leadership, volunteer service, and an ongoing interest in the museum’s programs and collection. In that way, their relationship with RAM mirrors the family’s broader approach to community life: showing up, taking responsibility, and helping institutions thrive. That commitment, like the family business itself, has been built over time, with each generation adding to what came before.
Judi’s passion for art remains an important thread throughout that history, but her legacy extends beyond her individual involvement. Through Dave, Ben, Lora, and the generations that follow, the Flegel family continues to demonstrate how personal interests can become shared commitments—and how sustained family involvement can help strengthen and sustain a cultural institution for the future.