Alan Sobotkin

1939 - 2026

Alan Sobotkin

December 6, 1939 - January 27, 2026

Alan Peter "Pete" Sobotkin passed away on January 27, 2026.

He was born December 6, 1939, and raised in South Brooklyn, New York, and later made his home in Hickory, North Carolina, where he lived most of his adult life.

A United States Army veteran, Alan served three years on active duty following specialized training in electronics and electronic warfare. Stationed at the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Grounds in Arizona, he worked on classified systems and was honorably discharged from service. He pursued higher education at Brooklyn College, the University of Arizona, and Catawba Valley Community College.

After his military service, Alan spent the majority of his professional life with IBM, where he built a 30-year career as a Senior Field Engineer. He held responsibility for large, complex computing systems at major customer sites and was deeply involved in professional leadership, serving in executive and board roles within IBM employee organizations across multiple regions.

In 1983, Alan began a second career in public service when he was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. He completed Basic Law Enforcement Training at Catawba Valley Community College, graduating as class valedictorian and earning the highest score in the state certification exam. His assignments included road patrol, lake patrol, long-range prisoner transport, and special emergency room duty at the county hospital.

In 1993, he was assigned to Child Support Enforcement, a role he later described as the most rewarding of his law enforcement career. Alan also served as a state-certified member of a regional Critical Incident Stress Debriefing team, providing support to first responders and others involved in traumatic events.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Alan was sent on temporary assignment to New York City at the request of the New York City Police Department, where he assisted in recovery operations at the World Trade Center.

Law enforcement was a family tradition. His father was a 35-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, and several other family members also served in the profession. Alan traveled extensively throughout his life, visiting all 50 U.S. states and a few foreign countries. His Jewish identity and heritage were an enduring part of who he was.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Worthington Sobotkin; his sons, Mark David Sobotkin and Barry Howard Sobotkin; and his grandson, Peter Roberson Sobotkin.

Alan will be buried at Salisbury National Cemetery with Military Honors.

A private service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in Pete's name.

Condolences may be left at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.

The Sobotkin Family is under the care of Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations.

Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations

3060 US Hwy 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602