Alan Appel

Alan Ira Appel, Esq., LL.M., better known to many as Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Alan and Professor, passed away at the age of 75 on October 21, 2026. Alan was a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather; an accomplished tax attorney; a beloved professor at New York Law School; and, above all, a man whose warmth, generosity, and genuine interest in others made everyone he met feel special.

Alan was born in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He earned his bachelor's degree from CUNY Baruch College before attending New York Law School, where he graduated first in his class. He later received his LL.M. from New York University.

Alan began his legal career at the Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service. He then moved to private practice specializing in international tax. For many years he settled at Bryan Cave LLP, where he was still working when he passed. While Alan enjoyed a distinguished legal career that spanned five decades, his true passion was teaching. For the last 15 years, he became the director of the International Tax Program at New York Law School, where he was adored by his students and maintained meaningful relationships well past their graduation. Alan had the rare ability to make tax law interesting, bringing the subject to life through his enthusiasm, humor, and occasional use of Super Soakers to keep his students awake.

Alan was extraordinarily kind and generous, the sort of person who would do anything for anyone he met. He had a recommendation for just about everything, and wherever he went, he quickly became a regular. He had a remarkable ability to connect with people, treating everyone with a warmth and kindness that made them feel seen, valued, and genuinely cared for. He spoke with family and friends daily, maintaining the relationships that meant so much to him.

A lifelong New Yorker, Alan loved the city and the people in it. He lived on Manhattan's Upper West Side for several decades where he met his wife and partner of 30 years. Together, Alan and Ellen could only be described as having the perfect New York City relationship- spending evenings at the New York Philharmonic, dining at all of their favorite stomping grounds, and raising their blended family. Together, they traveled the world extensively and spent much of their time with their friends, children and grandchildren.

Alan was an unwaveringly devoted father and grandfather. He was a constant presence in his children's lives, never missing a school event or an opportunity to show up for them. When his family needed him most, he was there without hesitation, providing the love, stability, and support they needed to thrive. Alan’s devotion was not simply something he spoke about, but something he demonstrated every day. He took particular delight in his grandchildren, showering them with love, jokes and presents, especially those with electronic features, lights, and sounds. His enthusiasm was so genuine, and his joy in making his children and grandchildren happy was so contagious.

Alan's Jewish faith was a central part of his life. He was deeply connected to Judaism and served as a trustee of Sutton Place Synagogue. Fittingly, he had a permanent seat along the back aisle, perfectly positioned to greet everyone who walked through the door. For Alan, community was not simply about belonging somewhere, but about making everyone else feel that they belonged, too.

Alan will be remembered for his generosity, his humor, his unwavering devotion to those he loved, and his extraordinary ability to make a lasting connection with just about anyone. Whether in a classroom, a synagogue, a restaurant, or at home with his family, Alan made the people around him feel important. His was a life defined not only by his many accomplishments, but by the countless relationships he nurtured and the love he gave so freely.

He was predeceased by his parents, Saul and Katie Appel. He is survived by his wife and

beloved partner of 30 years, Ellen Teich Gordon, his children Aaron (and Amanda) Appel and Jacqueline Appel (and Haddon Fisher), his stepdaughters Rebecca Gordon (and Andrew Stark), Danielle (and Sean) Gelb, and Jocelyn (and Matthew) Ardakanian, his grandchildren Morgan, Stella, Elijah, Lev, Madeline, Joseph, Helena, Tobias, Milly, Eloise and Jasper, and his sister Elise (and Ivan) Linden.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sutton Place Synagogue.

A Funeral Service will be held at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th Street, New York, NY 10023, US, on October 26, 2026, at 10:30 am.

A Committal Service will be held at New Montefiore Cemetery, 1180 Wellwood Ave, West Babylon, NY 11704, US, on October 26, 2026, at 1:00 pm.