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<p>“As I struggle through the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, I am still reminded and rewarded by my journey into the sunlight, by living and breathing the Greek light that crashes into my soul every morning. It is a living thing that seems to have a life of its own—a light that filters through flesh and marble. It is a light so vibrant that our Greek ancestors gave it the physical presence of a god called Apollo. The god of divine radiance. For Homer, light was the sap of life, and if one has to die, it is best to die in the sun.”</p>
<p>My father, Peter Fikaris, started his day at first light, and when he looked up at his long day’s end, it was dark, and he was happy. Giving 100 percent every day was paramount to him; he loved to tell us he worked half a day—12 hours. So many of the leadership principles he had learned at West Point had contributed to his success in business and as a husband, a father, and an overall exceptional human being. He felt that the way to make your life easier is to make yourself do the hard things you know are right; meanwhile, always stay true to your values when you are tempted to stray. He was a hard-working creature of light who, like a Greek and a West Pointer, believed that the lucidity of the mind and a strong faith in the Lord could put an end to the darkness of the soul. His inextinguishable faith in God and love for the Corps formed the cornerstone of his existence.</p>
<p><em>Peter Nick Fikaris</em> was born in Oklahoma City, OK on March 3, 1930 to Nicholas and Eftheia Fikaris. He was their first child to live through infancy, and this brought much joy to the family. He was followed in three years by his beloved brother, Luke. My father excelled in everything he did, always having tenacious perseverance and never giving up. He played baseball, football, and wrestled. He also played the violin. He fortuitously heard about West Point from a high school teacher who thought it would be a great place for him and his skill set. Upon graduating from high school, he entered the engineering program at Oklahoma University and stayed there for three years, keeping the military in his sights. Upon receiving a congressional appointment, he was accepted at West Point to join the Class of 1955. He took a train from Oklahoma City to New York to visit the Post, stopping in Chicago, IL to visit friends of his parents. In Chicago, he met his future bride, Angeline, who diligently wrote him letters and eventually visited him for dances once they were engaged to be married.</p>
<p>In his time at West Point, he competed all four years, lettering as a varsity wrestler, practically undefeated. He excelled in academics, particularly mathematics, while playing and lettering in baseball, football, cross country and track. Outside of athletics he also really enjoyed being a member of Glee Club and Catholic Choir. In his very limited spare time, he tutored. </p>
<p>Following graduation, where he was honored to have received his diploma from Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States, he married his longtime sweetheart, Angeline Anestos, in Chicago. Having chosen the Armor branch, he was then assigned to Germany and attended officer training, airborne training, and Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA. He was in Germany for two years, commanding troops to Hungary in 1956 during the Cold War resistance. He spoke of his time in Germany and Europe, post World War II, as extraordinary and he felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to be there and serve his country. He enjoyed numerous side trips around the region to many of the areas where historic World War I and World War II battles were fought. After he completed his required tour of duty, he settled down in the suburbs of Chicago. His first son, Peter, was born in Germany, and his next three children followed stateside in Elmhurst, IL. Then, in 1974, he went out on a limb, leaving a secure job and income, and started Flodyne, Inc., offering complete machine automation and control solutions for hydraulic, pneumatic, and electro-mechanical applications. At 44 years old, with four kids and his mother and father-in-law living with him, he gambled and bet on himself and his work ethic. I can just hear him saying, “Failure is not an option!” Today, Flodyne makes millions in sales.</p>
<p>He was a devoted father, never missing his children’s sporting events, Boy Scouts’ activities, or father-daughter dances (among many other memorable things). As a founding member of his church, Holy Apostles, he took great pride in watching its community grow through the years. He was preceded in death by his father, Nicolas Fikaris, a well-respected grocer and importer in Oklahoma City; and his mother, Eftehia, a teacher with a special affinity for mathematics. They were both remarkable immigrants who personified the American Dream, carving out a life of prosperity and contentment. He was the beloved husband of the late Angeline, nee Anestos; the loving father of Peter Fikaris Jr., Marilynn (Thomas) Ulrich, Dr. George (Dheanna) Fikaris, and Mark (Marcella) Fikaris; the proud grandfather of Maria (Quinn) Revak, Michael (Clare) Fikaris, Peter Pieretti, Alec Pieretti, Noelle Fikaris, Lia Fikaris, and Matthew Fikaris; the great-grandfather of Gigi Revak; and the dear brother of the late Luke (late Kathy) Fikaris.</p>
<p><em>— Marilynn Fikaris, beloved Daughter</em></p>
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