Alan Mark Haufrect

1941 - 2024

Alan Mark Haufrect
04/03/1941 - 08/17/2024
Alan Mark Haufrect, a loving father, beloved film and stage actor and later, innovative marketing executive, died at his home in Century City, CA, on Saturday, August 17th, after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 83.
Alan was born in Cleveland, Ohio to physician Fred Haufrect, and his wife, Hilda. They moved to Houston where his father relocated his practice to the Texas Medical Center. He attended Pershing Junior High School where he lettered in football on the varsity team. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He attended Bellaire High School where he excelled in forensics, taking home a record number of awards in oratory, extemporaneous speaking and dramatic interpretation at regional, state, and national tournaments. As a senior, he won first place in the nation in dramatic interpretation at the National Forensic League competition in Miami, Florida, and second place in oratory. He then won first place in Drama at the International Speech competition in Montreal, Canada. He was later inducted into the inaugural listing of members of the Bellaire High School Hall of Fame.
Alan attended Tulane University where he continued to perform. Alan earned his MFA from the Yale School of Drama in 1967 before moving to Los Angeles to begin his career in the motion picture industry. His first leading role in film took him to Europe, where he then remained in London for two years in stage performances. Upon his return to Los Angeles, Alan enjoyed a long career as an actor in a wide-ranging variety of feature films, television series, along with dozens of commercials and stage plays during his 30-year career. Alan was inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1987. He loved attending their movie screenings and voting on the Academy nominations and awards. In 1977, he married Kate McClure Lyman and in 1982, they welcomed their daughter into the world, who was in Alan's words, his greatest accomplishment.
After retiring from theatre, Alan translated his skills as a speaker and master communicator for the sports industry, serving at the executive level. Alan loved taking family and friends to sporting events and developed lasting friendships in cities from East to West, but especially valued his trips back to Houston, which always included a visit to Goode Company for a slice of pecan pie. He was an avid reader, and maintained his membership in his literary club for decades. His library was extensive- and all read and well-worn.
Above his many contributions and talents, Alan cherished more than anything his leading roles as a loving father and brother. He will be remembered always as a devoted friend and mentor, sharing his unmatched wit, unmistakable voice and endless generosity with friends, colleagues, and even complete strangers in need of a laugh, a smile, or kind word.
He is survived by his daughter, Sarah Haufrect; and son-in-law, Jared Michael Cote; two brothers, Drs. Eric and Dale Haufrect; four nephews, Brian, Mark, Ian, and Adam Haufrect; along with an entourage of loyal friends who filled his life with joy and laughter.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486, Pancreatic Cancer Research, or a charity of your choice.