John Desmond Flitner ’52

John Desmond Flitner ’52 of Santa Rosa, California, passed away at home on July 19. John was born on November 21, 1930, to a ranching family in Greybull, Wyoming. He spent his childhood through high school years working on the ranch. He graduated Dartmouth with a degree in English and as a member of Phi Delta Theta. John then entered the Marine Corps as an officer, serving in Korea, followed by law school at the University of Wyoming. He married Antonia “Toni” Parente in 1957 and then returned to Greybull, working at the local savings and loan association and practicing law while starting his family. In 1965 John and his family of four children moved to Santa Rosa, where he served briefly as assistant city attorney before becoming city attorney, serving until 1976. He also served as city attorney for Rohnert Park, California, and had a private practice concurrently until he retired in 2016. John was passionate about community involvement and had a lifelong interest in politics and music. John always kept his love of nature, especially animals and gardening. He is survived by Toni; son Michael and partner Trish; daughter Cristina and husband Johannes; daughter Rosemarie and husband Michael; daughter Angela and husband Richard; five grandchildren; and siblings David ’55 (and wife Paula), Stan (and wife Mary), and Pat (and husband Paul).

Portfolio

Book cover Original Sin with photo of hands over face
Alumni Books
New titles from Dartmouth writers (July/August 2025)
Woman posing with art sculpture
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Artist Catherine Ross Haskins ’94 transforms an old grain mill into a vibrant arts hub.
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Alumni first returned to campus for official reunions in 1855.

Illustration of woman in movie theater eating popcorn
Katie Silberman ’09
A screenwriter on storytelling in Hollywood

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