Robert Flanzer

	Robert Flanzer
	;
	Member-At-Large; Libertarian Party of New York
	2001—2002
	Personal Details
Birth:	October 15, 1934 ; Brooklyn, New York
Death:	January 21, 2021 (aged 86)
Military:	U.S. Air Force (1959-1961)
Occupation:	Dentist
Party:	Libertarian Party
	view image gallery

Robert Stephen "Bob" Flanzer (October 15, 1934—January 21, 2021) was an American dentist and Libertarian Party activist from the 1970s to the 2000s. He was the first Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Comptroller in 1974.

Biography

Early Life and Career

Flanzer was born on October 15, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York, a son of Abraham and Edith (Rosenzweig) Flanzer. His parents were Polish immigrants. He had siblings Shirley and Arnold. He attended Brooklyn College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. He went on to attend New York University, graduating in 1959 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Flanzer served as a Captain in the Strategic Air Command in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1961. In 1962, he went into private practice as a dentist in Brooklyn. He later attended Brooklyn Law School and received a postgraduate degree in 1973, as well as from Dartmouth College in 1984.

Politics

Flanzer became interested in the free market approach to politics after studying Ayn Rand's philosophy of objectivism at the Nathaniel Branden Institute in New York. He first became involved in the Libertarian Party in 1973 during Fran Youngstein's campaign for Mayor of New York City. In 1974, he became the Libertarian Party of New York's first candidate for State Comptroller. On July 13, 1974, he was elected Vice-Chair of the Brooklyn Libertarian Party and became Chair in 1975.

Flanzer subsequently ran for New York City Comptroller in 1977. He was able to collect a few sheets of signatures during the 1978 gubernatorial campaign for Gary Greenberg, despite having open heart surgery that year, according to the state newsletter. In 1981, he was again the Libertarian Party's candidate for New York City Comptroller. As of 2020, Flanzer is tied with Rosenblatt as well as Bill McMillen as the only 7-time Libertarian Party Presidential Electors, having the position in the 1976, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2004 elections.

Personal and Later Life

Flanzer was a partner to Eleanor Rosenblatt. He was a member of the Member American Dental Association and Jewish War Veterans. His interests included entertaining, singing, organ, coin and collecting/numismatics.

Flanzer died on January 21, 2021 at the age of 86. He was buried in New Montefiore Cemetery.

Political Campaigns

New York State Comptroller (1974)
New York City Comptroller (1977)
New York City Comptroller (1981)
Presidential Elector (1976, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2004)

Organizational Positions

Libertarian Party of New York

Kings County Representative (1977—1978)
Member-At-Large (2001—2002)

Brooklyn Libertarian Party

Vice-Chair (July 13, 1974—?)
Chair (1975—?)

References