Alan Lee Emory Shank

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Alan Shank Obituary

July 6, 1954 – June 10, 2019 Our beloved Alan Shank passed away peacefully on June 10, 2019 after a short illness. Passionate about agriculture, music, politics and spirituality, Alan's warm and kind nature embraced both humans and animals. Intelligent, curious, thoughtful, and honest are other words that come to mind. But most of all he was a hoot. He had the most amazing infectious laugh that made the most dour face crack a smile. And he laughed all the time and everywhere, delightfully brightening the dark corners of people's day. Alan was born in Boone, IA on July 6, 1954. After spending early childhood years in Iowa and Kansas, his family settled in Aurora, IL. He graduated from West Aurora High School in 1972. He attended Principia College in Elsah, IL, graduating in 1976 with a double major in music and Spanish. He entered the US Army in 1978, first playing the trombone in an Army band at Fort Campbell Kentucky and then as an Arabic translator. The translator specialty took him to both England and Egypt, tours of duty that he enjoyed. After leaving the Army, he pursued his life-long interest in agriculture. He attended Illinois State University at Normal where he acquired a degree in agribusiness. He then received a Master's degree at The Ohio State University in agricultural economics. A few years were spent in the Detroit, MI area where he pursued various agriculture interests including working as a farrier and experimenting with organic farming using draft horses. After coming to Mukilteo, WA in 1997, Alan worked at the Snohomish Conservation District as a dairy and horse farm planner for many years. This work beautifully combined his interest in agriculture, environmental conservation, and his love of helping people. He took great delight in helping people manage mud and manure on their farms so animals would stay healthy and fish streams would stay clean. He loved to teach and conducted seminars in mud and manure management all over the county. He constantly experimented with new conservation techniques at his home in Mukilteo, where his two horses, Dandy and Raj provided all the raw material he needed. After retirement from SCD he moved to Sherwood, OR briefly and then to FromtheMother Farm in Snohomish, WA, his last home. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Mary Bergstrom Shank; mother, Elaine Frey of Montgomery, IL; siblings, Gloria Drake of Montgomery, Patricia Maksoudian of Cedar Lake, IN, Mary Gibson of Valdosta, GA, Robert Tallman and Michael Tallman of Sandpoint, ID, and Keith Shank of Springfield, IL; niece, Deanna Drake of Seattle, WA; and his large and loving extended family, including his stable of horses and his beloved cat, Dojo. He will miss his church family at First Church of Christ, Scientist, Bothell and his church family will miss him, especially his lovely tenor voice singing harmony on the hymns. A celebration of Alan's life will take place at FromtheMother Farm, Snohomish, WA on June 22, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Donations in Alan's memory may be made to Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Redmond, WA, www.littlebit.org.

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Published by The Herald (Everett) on Jun. 16, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Alan Shank

12 Entries

Kathy Cvetko

June 10, 2020

It's hard to believe Alan's been gone a year! I was just thinking about him yesterday. Someone at my current barn told me that I "laugh a lot," and it brought to mind Alan's infectious laugh that I loved hearing when we were at the same barn!

Jeff Bossart

June 23, 2019

I have been so impressed by the comments left by others about Alan and his impact on their lives. Many comments about his life resonate for me and are reflective of the Alan I know. I have been at a loss of what to say of a person that has been very important to me in my own life. Simply stated, Alan was a great guy, good to talk to, good to spend time with, a great friend.

I first met Alan back in 1979 when we both played trombone in the 101st Airborne Division Army Band at Fort Campbell, Ky. We became good friends and had many good times together. The one memory of Alan that stands out above all others was a trip we took to his home near Chicago. I had the opportunity to not only see many of the sights the area offered, but also to spend time with his family and to feel welcomed and embraced as if I had always been part of them.

Eventually our paths separated and I lost touch with Alan. He made efforts to contact me by writing the occasional letter. But as a young person, I took much of this for granted. I did learn during this time he had reenlisted in the army as a translator, that he eventually got out of the army and went to Ohio State University to pursue a degree in agriculture and that he had met the person of his dreams and was going to be married. The last time I heard from him was in 1989.

Fast forward almost 20 years, the events in my own life would cause me to think of Alan from time to time. The memory of Alan was such an enduring one for me I would sometimes find myself saying, "I wonder what Alan would have to say about that... or what would Alan think?" It was one of these moments that caused me to do a bit of Internet searching to find out what had happened to my old friend, where did he end up, what was he doing now? I had no expectation. Maybe, I could find an address or a phone number and, in some way, reconnect as old friends often do.

Well, be it divine intervention or dumb luck, I quickly found a picture of him on the Internet. He had taken a trip to China and the caption on the picture suggested he worked for an agency that was focused on farming. Not a big surprise, I thought to myself, that sounds like the Alan I know, the picture definitely looked like him. But what I discovered next was beyond my belief. It turned out that he worked for the Snohomish Conservation District and that he made his home in Mukilteo, WA. My initial reaction was this can't be, what are the chances? I checked and rechecked his name, where he lived, where he worked, etc. Eventually I did figure out this was Alan, and that he only lived about 20 miles from where I now live in Washington State. I am still amazed at the chances of something like this actually occurring. It was great to call him and to say, "you are not going to believe who this is and you are not going to believe where I live now." It was an amazing moment for me. Nevertheless, we were able to reconnect, reminisce about our old army days and renew our friendship from so many years ago.

I do have many fond memories of Alan. I have always known him to be a spiritual person, deeply committed to his faith. There have been times when I thought of him more as a brother than just a friend. After much reflection and listening to those closest to Alan share their own experiences at his recent Life Celebration, this is what I have come to know and more fully appreciate. "I learned many things from and about Alan I did not know. He was clever in that way. He had an uncanny ability to impart knowledge about life in very unassuming ways. It was nothing he tried to do. It was just who he was." I feel lucky to have known him and that I can say he was my friend.

1st Church Christ, Scient Whitmore

Sent Flowers

Monica and Frank

June 18, 2019

Our condolences to Mary and all of Alan's family. I'm so glad we had the opportunity to spend a short time with Alan and Mary last summer while we were in the NW. It was a short visit but full of delightful conversation and laughter. Alan will certainly be missed.

Cori Westcott

June 18, 2019

Al and I attended "Super Course," an extensive year-long course for music majors at Principia College. Though we went our separate ways, we both shared the same paths; music, horses, animals, conservation - both at home and global focus. Although it's been 43 years ago since I witnessed that Alan Shank laugh, I can recall it as if it was today. Rejoice in the memories reserved in your hearts. God love you all.

Carolyn Stewart Singleton

June 18, 2019

Although I had not been in touch with Alan since Principia Days, he was one of my first friends at college. I remember his warm generous spirit and quick smile. From what I've read he obviously lived a full and bountiful life and I know his family and friends will miss him greatly.

Kathy Cvetko

June 18, 2019

Omg, there is so much one can say about Alan and how my family and I feel about losing him in such a short time!
The most prominent thing that comes to mind is his laugh! It represented the person he was: sincere, quick-witted, caring, knowledgeable. And, unafraid to ask the tough questions of life with humor and respect!
Miss you, Alan. Rest, peacefully, friend.

Anna Blake

June 18, 2019

Kind, sweet, funny, there are no end to the compliments Alan deserves. He is someone who stood out in the crowd for all the right reasons. He paid me the best compliment I ever got, coming to the farm was such a wonderful time, and I will always remember Alan with a smile. Take care, Mary. My heart is with you.

Kathy Pohl

June 17, 2019

Please accept my condolences Mary and family and all who loved Alan. He certainly was a very special friend and always so helpful in his expertise of mud management is where I met him in helping me with my farm. His infectious laugh was absolutely the best. May Jesus comfort you as only He can.

Peggy Dare

June 17, 2019

The living world has lost a great spirit. May Alan return to us in some form, please.

June 17, 2019

When I was 12 years ole I helped my sister with her nw baby, Alan, for 2 weeks. As a teenager I helped him learn to ride my horses, Zip and Dolly. I think he inherited the "horse" gene from me. We will miss him. Aunt Joanne

Dottie Wine

June 17, 2019

To my dear cousin. I so very much enjoyed connecting with you as adults. I enjoyed our laughs, our shared stories and our shared heritage and love of family. You are gone way too soon!

Much love and respect,

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