Alan Stuart Mendelsohn

Alan SMendelsohn  1941 ~ 2004  Alan Stuart Mendelsohn died May 22, 2004 of an abdominal aneurysm.  Alan embraced life with gusto and lived it his way until his very last breath. Charismatic, charming and intensely curious about the world around him, he routinely engendered strong reactions from those who met him.  He was born in New Rochelle, New York on May 26, 1941 to Irving and Rose Paddis Mendelsohn. In the early 1950's, he and his parents moved to the Los Angeles area where he graduated from high school. He earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Alan was a veteran of the Vietnam War and attained the rank of captain during his active duty 1965-1970. Alan attended graduate school at the University of Utah, completing a Master's in education and followed by a Ph.D. in counseling and clinical psychology in 1978. He worked as a psychologist for the Valley Mental Health system for 27 years prior to retirement. He was married to Marcia McClurg 1965-1994 continuing to value her friendship and counsel after they divorced. He married DeAnn Tilman on November 3, 2001 who, in their all-too-brief time together, loved him with a zest he found irresistible and intriguing. Alan was the real-life inspiration for the young reader's novel, "Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars." Throughout his life he was a passionate devotee of college and professional sports, attending three NCAA Final Four games. He relished long, thoughtful discussions, enjoyed foreign films, earned the nickname, "Trip Man" for his world-wide travels, collected art, followed U.S. politics and foreign policy, and was an accomplished photographer. He was truly one of a kind, providing a treasure trove of anecdotes that will be enjoyed for the foreseeable future by those who knew him. Alan is survived by his widow; a stepson, Scott J. Tilman; older sister, Lee; nephew, Mark; and niece, Carla.  Alan was cremated, as per his instructions, on May 26, 2004 following a private viewing. DeAnn will host a wake in his honor in late June to celebrate his life and his accomplishments. Friends and loved ones will be notified in due course as to the exact date, time, and location.