Alan Reed-Erickson

Alan N. Reed-Erickson, 70, died Wednesday, October 3, from complications of Alzheimer's. Born in Rochester, Alan was raised in Middletown CT, and attended Woodrow Wilson High.  He received his Bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and his Master's from Antioch New England. Alan was particularly proud of achieving Eagle Scout status, and of lettering in three sports in high school, setting records for his school in swimming, which earned him a swimming scholarship to CCSU. Alan's career always involved a focus on helping and encouraging people to be the best version of themselves. It ranged from working with children with autism in a Connecticut hospital setting, to his last professional position as Executive Director of the Monarch School of New England. In between, he was a house parent in a CT group home for developmentally disabled young men, a parole officer for adults, a probation officer for youth released from NHYDC, the director of Teen Haven, (a Rochester group home), co-founder of The Good Earth (a Rochester natural foods store), co-founder of Granite State Association of Non-profits (now known as NH Center for Non-profits), Executive Director of The Friends Program, Executive Director of California Association of Non-profits, along with his consulting business Nonprofit Solutions. Alan served on many boards, among them Rochester Child Care Center, Strafford Guidance Center president, Rochester Opera House, Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Rotary president, to name a few. He was a member of First Church Congregational, UCC in Rochester and served several terms as Moderator. He was the very proud recipient of Rotary's Paul Harris Fellow award for his service to the community. He was an avid volunteer for many groups, including the Homeless Shelter, First Church's food pantry and Rochester's Fellowship Kitchen as well as for many city events. Firmly believing in civic duty, maintaining a civil countenance and giving back to the community, he served on the Rochester School Board and several terms on the Rochester City Council. He was a man of (too!) many interests! He relished history, acting, politics, reading, beer, cooking, hiking, music, traveling, and collecting. Oh, the collections: wooden boxes, coins, stamps, hatpins, political buttons, patches (this one started with boy scout patches), elephants, beer labels, beer bottle caps, beer mats (all of these, however, must be from beer that he had tasted!). And while he was teased in close circles for his statement, "I like beer!" he honestly drank it to taste it and critique it, and was not wont to over-imbibe. It was not usual for him to drink the same beer twice. Alan and family became charter members of a group started by friends called Gulley Oven Folk School, designed with the motto "Every teacher a learner, every learner a teacher." That experience, of meeting/camping/ teaching/learning /cooking/cleaning with each other over a period of 35 years became the basis for deep and enduring friendships and life lessons. As busy as he was with work, civic engagement, and board and church activities, Alan's first and proudest commitment was his passion for his two children, Sara and Adam, to ensure their education, spiritual and physical development, activities and interests were supported.  His love of his family was unbounded. Alan leaves his wife Sharon, daughter Sara Marino and her husband Greg of NY, son Adam and his wife Michelle Morgan of CA, grandchildren Drew and Maya of NY, sister Janet Valuk of Nashua, nephew Eric Valuk of MA, nephew Matt Valuk and wife MaryBeth and their son Lucas of MA, many cousins, brother-in-law Warner Reed and his wife Shirley  and their children and grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 20, at 1 pm at First Church Congregational, UCC, Rochester, with calling hours there the hour prior. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to USAgainstAlzheimer's, 1101 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 USA, www.USAgainstAlzheimer's.org,  or an Alzheimer's organization of your choice, or First Church Congregational, UCC, 63 South Main St, Rochester, NH. The family extends gratitude to Frisbie Hospital's excellent GeroPsych Unit, to the Homemaker's Day Out Program, to Cornerstone VNA,  and the Alzheimer's Café at Children's Museum of NH for their programs and staff. Arrangements are being handled by Edgerly Funeral Home.