RICHARD JANSEN ALLIGER

RICHARD ALLIGER Obituary

ALLIGER, RICHARD JANSEN - of Strathmere. Born June 18, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA, passed away March 26, 2013. Dick Alliger is survived by his two sisters, Joan H. Alliger and Nancy A. Foulke; his niece, Deborah R. Pelham; brothers-in-law, Hugh Foulke and David Foulke. Dick was a publicist, handling advertising and promotion in radio and print and he created "Panorama Magazine" located in Doylestown, PA. He headed The Upper Township Beach Patrol in Strathmere. And was Public Relations Director for Sea Isle City. Dick was active in political and community affairs starting in Bucks County, PA as a disc jockey at WBUX. He ran political campaigns in Doylestown, PA and supported candidates in South Jersey. Dick's great love was his long running, syndicated radio show, "Make Believe Ballroom" heard up and down the East Coast where he played Big Band Music for his many fans. Over the years, Dick met many of those band leaders and had some great stories to share. He also had a Band in South Jersey that played on the board walk in Ocean City among other places. Dick had a great sense of humor and always had a good joke to share. He was a fixture in Strathmere and will be sorely missed by his family and many loyal friends. For condolences to the family, www.godfreyfuneralhome.com

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Published by The Press of Atlantic City on May 5, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD ALLIGER

7 Entries

Ken Koch

June 18, 2025

I was at my Ski Club's monthly member meeting last night, June 17, 2025, and there was a discussion about the Deauville Inn in Strathmere NJ being sold. One of my ski mates spends a lot of time at the Jersey Shore and keeps up on whats going on locally. I asked him if he ever hear of Trader Al's Surf Inn. He had, and we shared stories about the place and its long time proprietor, Trader Al.

I knew Dick as Trader Al, from when myself and a few friends stayed at the Surf Inn in Strathmere NJ in the late 1960's & early 70's. The Surf Inn was basically a boarding house for young people, and Dick was the centerpiece of the place. He was older than us, we in our very early twenties and younger, he not as "old" as our parents. When you are growing into your adulthood, occasionally you meet an adult who has a long lasting influence on you, and that was Trader Al.

Long after I last stayed at the Inn, married my high school sweetheart (still together, we are. And still in love), her folks had settled in nearby Ocean City NJ and we visited them regularly. I would drive over the bridge to Strathmere and visit Dick, and we usually would head into Sea Isle City to a local watering hole for a beer. That usually turned into more than a few.

He was one of my early adult influencers, to use a current term that would probably make him cringe. He may not have lead the healthiest lifestyles, but he knew how live life well. I remember him talking about his radio show, the Make Believe Ballroom. He had an amazing record collection of the music.

Dick has been gone for a while now, but he lives on in the many people that stayed at his Surf Inn. May that be said for the rest of us.

May 31, 2013

My memories of Trader date to the 60's, when he created the Surf Inn. He was my best man when I married & I designed a lot of T shirts for him. What a wonderful story teller he was! And his humor and voice were spell- binding. He was a gentle & loving soul.. I remember his dinners - mystery meat, tons of white bread, his giant , homegrown zucchini & Velveeta in a casserole - few gourmands at the Surf Inn!
He bought & sold model trains, loved flea markets and book. I treasure the "Ranger Joe" mugs I bought @ one of his sales & my surf inn T's, my tangible links to him , & cherish the memories of his sweet, kind soul. He touched the lives of so many of us & lives on in our fond memories and hearts.

william bret webster

May 24, 2013

it seems like just yesterday, the vehicle was loaded up and we headed across country for another trip. rest in peace "old man alleger"

Joanne (Keene) Hall

May 8, 2013

Thank you for showing a young "radio girl" the ropes. Our time at the radio station was something I looked forward to every week. You have left a legacy of music and memories for so many and you will be missed.

Larry and Carol (Holmes) Keene

May 8, 2013

For nearly 50 years, we shared our careers and friendship. You were our political reporter at the Township Times, covering events in both Upper Township and Sea Isle City. And then you helped make memories spinning that mirrored ball in the Make Believe Ballroom at WWOC in Avalon. Together, we visited many of the recording stars you would feature in your interviews. My library is well represented with many of your treasured books and reference items, just as our hearts are filled with the memories of your friendship. When my career took me to the West Coast, you continued to inform and entertain us with the written updates penned by both you and your make believe ballroom producer, Hiram. Dick, I know you would be most proud that we always considered you a "Broadcaster," because it's one of the careers we both considered so fulfilling. But, I'm more proud to think of you as My friend. For both Carol and I--- you are dearly missed.

Carol Keene

May 8, 2013

Dick "Trader Al" Alliger has been a friend of my family's for more than 50 years. Along with my husband Larry, Dick's career in broadcasting paralleled one another throughout Southern New Jersey and by that association I benefitted by being his friend as well. Dick was a unique individual who shared his musical knowledge and his insights into the world of broadcasting and his great love of the history of recorded music. Through Dick's broadcasting contacts we had the privilege of meeting many of those recording artists over the years including a surprise introduction to Larry's favorite, Johnny Ray. Dick was generous to his friends and always shared that "smokey" laugh and the crinkles that appeared in the corners of his eyes when he smiled and joked with those he cared about. He loved to travel and once in a while we found we were on the same journey with him so we shared our experiences in places such as New York City etc. After we moved to California, Dick always kept in touch by way of sending us notes with clippings of mutually interesting local interest stories, news of Bidwell's Ditch, books about broadcasters and music, and postcards. He always signed them Regards; Dick and Hiram. We enjoyed each and every one of them and are sad to realize that it has come to an end.
When I read Dick's obituary online, I was shocked to realize that not only had I shared over 50 years of friendship with Dick but unbeknownst to me, in his journey through life I had shared much more...Dick's sister Nancy (who I knew of but had never met) is married to Hugh Foulke, someone I had also known 54 years ago through his very special mother Mary “Mollie” whose generosity to me has never been forgotten; I cherish her memory. Dick's other brother-in-law David Foulke is also friend of over 50 years. Imagine my surprise when I saw their names in Dick's obituary in the Press of Atlantic City. As they say, "it's a small small world". I am happy to know that Dick was a part of such a wonderful family and that they are a family I remember fondly too. My genuine sympathy goes out to you all; you have lost a very unique individual but we all have our memories of him to keep him in our hearts...

Joanne Wilkie

May 5, 2013

I knew Dick when i lived in Ocean City...funny guy. My husband, Sandy Wilkie graduated GFS ..1952, with Dick. I lost Sandy 7 yrs ago. we moved here 18 yrs ago for climate & sailing. I bet both are playing music and telling stories!

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