Alan Joseph Rousseau passed away peacefully, surrounded in love and comfort on May 3, 2018 in Beaverton, Oregon. Alan was born in Portland, Oregon on May 15, 1931, the oldest of three children to Joseph and Henrietta Rousseau. Alan graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1948 and enrolled at the University of Portland where he met Dorothy Senko. They were married in 1951 and Alan graduated from U of P in 1952. He was subsequently commissioned as a United States Marine Corps Second Lieutenant in 1952 and served four years on active duty, stationed in Virginia and California where he and Dorothy started what would become a large family. They returned to Oregon in 1955, settling in the Laurelhurst neighborhood in NE Portland, and Alan began teaching in the Beaverton School District and transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve. In 1969 the family relocated briefly to Eugene, Oregon where Alan earned his Ph.D. in 1970 at the University of Oregon. The family moved back to Portland where Alan and Dorothy raised a large and loving family of eight children. They were active members of the All Saints Catholic Church parish and strong supporters of All Saints Elementary and Central Catholic High schools. Alan continued his work with the Beaverton School District, moving into Principalship and Assistant Superintendent roles, and in 1986, following 33 years of dedicated service to children and education, he retired as the Assistant Superintendent (Personnel). After a brief retirement, he began teaching at Lewis & Clark College in Portland in 1988 and thoroughly enjoyed teaching and mentoring aspiring school administrators in the Educational Administration graduate program. In 1990, Alan lost his beloved Dorothy suddenly, after a long and loving 39-year marriage. In 1991, after 40 years of military service, Alan retired from the US Marine Corps Reserve at the rank of Major. In 1992 he married Carolyn Kelly, and the couple relocated to Lake Oswego, Oregon several years later. Alan retired from teaching at Lewis & Clark in 2003 and with Carolyn, enjoyed a well-deserved retirement full of family, golf, gardening, travel, pets, and time spent at the family cabin on the Oregon Coast. He is remembered as incredibly kind, loving, and dignified, with a constant smile and a pure, nonjudgmental love for all who knew him.
Alan is predeceased by his first wife Dorothy, father Joseph, mother Henrietta, and sister Jeanne Palermini. He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years Carolyn Kelly, brother Roland Rousseau, eight children: Michael Rousseau, Cynthia Hittner, Mark Rousseau (Debbie), Anne Scofield (Mark), Daniel Rousseau (Vanessa), Lisa Hansen (Andy), Thomas Rousseau (Lisa), and Jennifer Pierce (Korey); three step-children: Kelly Jackson, John Jackson (Sherrie), and Patrick Jackson (Deborah Boehm); 21 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of love and kindness among countless extended relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
A funeral Mass celebrating Alan’s life will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at All Saints Catholic Church, 3847 NE Glisan Street, Portland, Oregon. All are invited to a brief reception following in the church hall. A private burial will be attended by family.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Alan’s memory to Central Catholic High School. Arrangements by Zeller Chapel of the Roses.
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