Obituaries & Condolences

Iowa City, Iowa
Luke Joseph Flaherty, 71, died Sunday, September 25, 2011 at UIHC of complications related to a stroke.
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11am, Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at The Newman Center, 104 E. Jefferson, Iowa City, with the Rev. Anthony Bruno officiating. Inurnment will be in the columbarium at Oakland Cemetery. The family will greet friends Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation, Friends of the Animal Center Foundation or to the University of Iowa Foundation for the Palliative Care Unit at UIHC at PO Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52244.
Luke was born August 23, 1940, the eldest of five children, to Mary Margaret (Bolger) and Luke Bernard Flaherty in Waterbury, Connecticut, where he graduated from Saint Mary Grammar School and Sacred Heart High School. He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut after high school. He received a BA degree from Bellarmine University in Louisville, an MA degree from the University of Louisville, and a PhD degree from the University of Iowa. He married Susan E. Sweeney December 29, 1972 in Kansas City, Kansas. Luke and Susan renewed their marriage vows on August 17, 2007 in Iowa City.
Luke’s career as an English professor and university administrator spanned 41 years; 37 years at the University of Iowa. Before moving to Iowa City, he was an Instructor in English at Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas 1968-1972. He was a graduate instructor and an adjunct professor of English at the University of Iowa 1972-1998. He held several university administrative positions: editorial associate in medicine research in the Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, 1977-1979; associate director for the undergraduate and graduate programs in the Tippie College of Business, 1979-1984; and director of academic student services and standards in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.1984-2009. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Modern Language Association of America, and the Big Ten Conference of Liberal Arts and Sciences assistant and associate deans and directors.
Luke was a member of the Newman Catholic Student Center.
Luke is survived by his wife, Susan E. Sweeney; his sister, Mary Ann Flaherty, Waterbury, CT; three brothers: William (Maureen) of Cohasset, MA, George (Kathleen), Waterbury, CT, and Kevin (Nancy), Torrington, CT; his brothers- and sisters-in-law: John P. Sweeney, Neola, IA, Barbara A. Morgan , Kansas City, MO, Brian M. and Dee Sweeney, both of Tucson, AZ; numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; and his beloved golden retriever, Quinn.
Luke was preceded in death by his parents.
Online condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com