Alan Sears

Alan was born November 4, 1937, to Miriam and Samuel Schmuckler in New Rochelle, New York, just a short 30 minutes by commuter rail to Grand Central Station. He received his degree from State University of New York and moved to Seattle a few years later. It was here that he found fulfillment by working in book publishing and establishing a family. He retired from McGraw Hill after 35 years. He was well suited to his work since it offered two of the things he loved: travel and engaging with people.

Alan's life was truly well lived. He enjoyed the simplest of pleasures to the most sublime, whether a trip to an exotic locale or a jaunt to the local grocery store. His sense of enthusiasm and wonder remained with him his whole life.

Most dear to Alan, however, was his family: Beverly, who he treasured with an affection that lasted their 52 years of marriage; his son Jeffrey Sears and his daughter Wendy Baier and her husband Matthew who were a great source of pride and pleasure to him as well as his precious grandchildren, Thea and Maya Baier.

Alan was active in many volunteer activities including the board of Temple De Hirsch and Council House as well as The Rhododendron Society and Species Garden, while always making time for meeting his many friends who appreciated his humor, loyalty, and intelligence.

Alan was a lifelong first adopter of electronics and media innovations. He was an avid reader of the NY Times and was ever ready to discuss the events of the day. Whenever he had visitors to the Pacific Northwest, he delighted in showing them the sights.

In addition to his family, he is survived by his sister Judy Paradis and her husband Jim, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Linda and Ron Krivosha, brother-in-law Joe Pahutski, in addition to his many nieces living in New York, Boston, and Washington.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Sears family.