Alvin Brough Dunn

1926 - 2016

ALVIN BROUGH DUNN (November 9, 1926 November 1, 2016) On November 9, 1926, just six weeks after his parents arrived from Scotland, a newborn Alvin B. Dunn arrived at Oroville Curran Hospital. Over the course of the following 89 years, Alvin developed three great loves: education, baseball, and family. He was an enlightened educator, a artful athlete, and a faithful husband and father. Alvin cultivated an early passion for learning, first at Eastside and Bird Street Elementary Schools and later at Oroville Union High School. During high school, Alvin was employed at Western Union and filled in as a night manager in Chico. After his 1944 graduation, Alvin postponed his studies to serve in WWII as a Technician's Mate in the U.S. Navy until he was honorably discharged in 1946. He worked at Currier Brothers as a box boy and checker while eagerly resuming his scholarly pursuits; he earned, in rapid succession, an Associate's degree from Yuba College, a B.A. in Education from Chico State University, and a credential in Education Administration. Alvin encountered his second love at Chico State, playing college and semi-pro baseball. He also played recreational softball from 1947-77, and merged his passions for education and athletics by coaching Little League and American Legion teams. In 1953, the Palermo Unified School District had the immeasurable luck of discovering Alvin's educational talents. He served children for 15 years as a teacher until 1967, when he was appointed principal of Helen Wilcox Elementary School. For the following 20 years, Alvin enriched the lives of young scholars through both academic and athletic activities. He reorganized two school libraries, one of which bears his name, and coached boys' and girls' after-school baseball teams. His devotion earned him the 1986-7 Oroville Masonic Lodge Educator of the Year Award, as well as the gratitude of the hundreds of the children and parents he served. Alvin was able to blend this love of education with his love of the Word of God by becoming a licensed preacher for New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a faithful member for over 50 years. He also brought his educational wisdom to the Feather River Recreation District Board from 1959-76, where his counsel led to the purchase and development of a local golf course, Mitchell Field Complex, Harrison Field, the Thermalito Complex, swimming pools in Palermo and Thermalito, and the initial refurbishment of the Oroville Municipal Auditorium. Alvin died on November 1, 2016 at age 89, and he is survived by his third and greatest love: family. Alvin leaves behind his wife Carol, their three children, and their six grandchildren. They will remember him for his dry wit, his clever cartoons, and his immense kindness. A celebration of life will be held at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 5640 Lincoln Blvd., Oroville, CA 95966 on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 11:00 AM.