Warm, generous and with a twinkle in his eyes, Alan was dearly loved by many.

Both of his grandfathers left the Midwest in the 1890's and settled in Seattle. Alan was raised on the family homestead on Bainbridge Island with sheep, horses, orchards and beautiful gardens. He commuted by ferry to Lakeside High School in Seattle. After graduating from Yale, Alan married Sarah Clise ("Sally") who grew up three houses away from him. He initially worked for the family business, Seattle Cedar Lumber Manufacturing, a prominent mill in Ballard. He soon co-founded a land development and construction company, Black and Caldwell, specializing in building residential homes on Mercer Island and the Eastside.

For over 40 years during the summer and fall months, Alan commuted to work by speedboat between the Seattle waterfront and his home on Bainbridge. On warm summer evenings he and Sally often swam off of Blakely Rock enroute home from the city.

Full of energy and drive, Alan accomplished many things. He was a leading force in the revitalization and restoration of historic buildings in Pioneer Square during the 1970's. A man who avoided the limelight, Alan moved mountains quietly through his generosity. With a keen eye for aesthetics in architecture and landscaping, he contributed to the conservation of natural lands throughout the Pacific NW and especially on Bainbridge Island. Alan was a rejuvenating force at Bloedel Reserve where he encouraged them to "let in the light" and limb up trees to reveal mature trunks and majestic views.

He had a low REI member number for good reason. His lifelong passion for adventuring in the great outdoors led to countless backpacking trips in the mountains and along the coast with family and friends. Fall larch hikes east of the Cascades, winter powder skiing at Crystal Mt. Resort (where he was a founding member), and summer boating on the Sound were family traditions. At low tides during the summer months, Alan might be seen in his signature light blue button-down shirt, buried waist deep in muck, wrestling a geoduck from a sandy beach on Hood Canal. Full of whimsy he delighted in introducing his grandchildren to the wonders of eating raw oysters.

Alan passed away in Seattle at the age of 95 and is preceded in death by his siblings Marilyn (Watson), Bill and David. He was married to Sally for 64 years until her death in 2018. He lost his eldest son Ian in 1974 and is survived by his three younger children, Andrea, Fraser (Deirdre), Kayla (Michael), and seven grandchildren.

Alan requested no public memorial service. A private celebration of life will be held for family.