Alan H. Philipson

Alan H. Philipson passed away on August 4th, 2021 at the age of 82, surrounded by family. An alumnus of Isidore Newman School and Tulane University, Alan enjoyed a successful career as the third generation leader of his family’s business, Superior Merchandise. Under Alan’s leadership, the business grew from a small regional company into a national distributor to major retailers across the country. While Alan traveled the globe for his business career and spent large swaths of time in New York City and at the beach in Perdido Key, there was no place he would rather be than his hometown of New Orleans. Upon selling Superior Merchandise to Tandy Brands in 2004, Alan devoted himself full-time to his passion for the community of New Orleans. There was scarcely a board in town that did not not seek Alan’s guidance and leadership. His board service over the years included the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry (Chairman), the Industrial Development Board of the City of New Orleans (President), the Metropolitan Crime Commission (Chairman), Newman School Board of Governors (Chairman), WYES Board of Trustees (Chairman), Bricolage Academy (Founding Board Chair), Lambeth House Foundation (President), Lambeth House, Inc. Board of Trustees (Secretary), LASPCA (First Vice-President), KIPP New Orleans Board of Trustees (Treasurer), Hurstville Security District (Founder and Secretary/Treasurer), Kingsley House, Valencia, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, Longue Vue House and Gardens, Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees, Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans Advisory Council, the Pro Bono Publico Foundation, and Low Cost Animal Medical Clinic. His organizational memberships included the School of Design, New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, the New York Athletic Club, the Huguenot Society of Louisiana, and the World Trade Center. He was the recipient of the National Jewish Medical and Research Center Humanitarian Award, the Family Service of Greater New Orleans Open Door Award, and the Louisiana Appleseed Good Apple Award in 2018. He was also the Co-Chair (with his wife Arlene) of the Heart and Soul Open Your Heart Gala for the American Heart Association in 2018 and a St. Charles Avenue magazine 2016 Activist of the Year.

No list of accomplishments and services, however, comes close to encompassing what Alan meant to his family and to the community. For much of his life, his world revolved around his beloved wife Arlene and their two sons, Andy and Eric. Tragically, however, Eric and Andy passed away in 1999 and 2000. Andy left behind a wife, Elizabeth, and a young son, Edmund, who both meant the world to Alan and to whom he remained very close. In many ways, the purpose of Alan’s dedication to the community was to leave behind a better world for Edmund, with the chief means of improvement coming through his contributions to K-12 schools in New Orleans. Alan dreamed of a city that boasted not only top-tier prep schools, but also equal access to high quality public education. He labored tirelessly to ensure that this happened through his work aiding in the founding of Bricolage Academy, using expertise gained working with KIPP New Orleans and as board chair of Newman School, and he continued in this work as a board member of the Pro Bono Publico Foundation, helping to raise and distribute millions of dollars to area K-12 schools and programs since 2006. Anyone who saw Alan walking his Shih Tzus Ginger and Snap around Hurstville several times a day also knew of his passion for animals, and that was borne out in his service, as well.

In addition to giving of himself to the community and family, Alan was dearly beloved by his friends. The annual raucous holiday luncheon of his longtime tennis foursome, the “Saddlebrook Four,” was featured in The Advocate/Times-Picayune in December of 2020.

Alan also served as a mentor and confidant to generations of New Orleanians. He was a gracious and eager entertainer and a good listener. His family, friends, and even mere acquaintances sought to tap into his perspective, guidance, and wisdom. Alan’s impact on those who knew him and the organizations with which he was associated will echo throughout New Orleans in perpetuity.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Rose Philipson, as well as his sons André Philipson and Eric Philipson. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Arlene, their grandson Edmund Philipson, and their daughter-in-law Elizabeth Crawford (Keith). He is also survived by his brother Lyle Philipson (Carole) and four loving nephews who seek to continue his legacy of service, Randolph Philipson (Darnell), Bradley Philipson (Killian), Stephen Philipson (Laura), and Jon Philipson (Lesley), and seven great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private. There will be a celebration of life at a later date as conditions allow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com