Alan Binkerd

Gone from my Sight
"I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, `There, she is gone.´
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me - not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, `There, she is gone,´ there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, `Here she comes!´
And that is dying..."

By Henry Van Dyke

To all of Alan's family,

Please accept my deepest condolences of Alan's passing. I had the pleasure of having Alan work for me (Private Homecare) taking care of my dear friend Lisa who had ALS. He was such an amazing man. We would talk about his time serving as I am a General's daughter so we had some stories to tell. That infectious smile he had is something I will forever cherish. He would walk in, smile at me and say. I got this, give me a hug and say now leave all with a smile on his face. May you rest in eternal peace my friend. Fly high!

Dear Kathy and Families,

I am so very saddened to just hear of your grate loss during such a difficult time in your lives. We all go way back to early Salem Hospital and Eastern Pulmonary days and then some with Kathy and Alan. He was genuinely one of a kind and when you were with him he made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. I am thinking of you and you all are in my prayers. Stay strong, and may it be a comfort for you to know that Alan touch many lives at so many different levels and time doesn't erase the difference he made with others.

With love and heartfelt sympathy,

Kathleen, Alison and family, please accept the condolences of the veterans of the 11th Armored Cavalry: the veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. Alan was one of us, one of our own. Your husband and father will be remembered as an honorable trooper whose very presence brought comfort and support to his fellow troopers. He will be included on the Honor Role of our combat veterans as his service highlighted his bravery and valor was guided with the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. As grateful Americans we should all pause and salute a man who was willing to put his life on the line for his country and fellow man. As our burial liturgy states: " ... his life has not ended, merely changed ..." and as we were together then in Vietnam, we will be together again in the life hereafter, warmly embraced in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Chaplain Bill, 11th ACVVC (Vietnam 71-72)

Alan did so much for everyone. He was so important to my parents daily life, and of course Kate. He made us, and really everyone he met, feel special with that big warm smile. I seems unreal that he is gone. Love you buddy, you will be truly missed.

So sorry for your loss. Always had a smile on his face & was very upbeat. Truly nice guy & talented, knowledgeable & admired respiratory therapist. So glad our paths crossed, one of a kind! God bless!

Kathy so deeply sorry to hear of Alan´s passing. He´s was such a great, kind and generous man. Always a delight to be around. He was so kind to Blanche and Ed. Please know you, and your family are in our thoughts prayers. Love , Marianne Kean Skomurski and Suzanne Kean Young. (Annmarie Dragani´s cousins).

Larry and I are sad to hear of this news . Alan was that guy that lit up the room with his smile and laugh. He was the go to guy for anything respiratory at NSMC Salem . He was always ready to help . He was much loved and revered by those who knew him . Our sincere condolences for his family and for all who knew him .

Alan was my next door neighbor and a few years older than I. He would often spend time with us in the front yard tossing a football or playing soccer. He was just a really nice upbeat friendly guy always with a smile. I admired him in many ways. My condolences to the Binkerd family

Sending many active warm gestures of appreciation to Alan who was truly a great human spirit of love and kindness with such a delightfully generous appreciation of all his associations. We kept hoping to visit when we flew south but never got quite close enough. His sister Julia is my oldest dear friend and she has always filled me in on his warm life progressions.... Thank you Alan for all that you have brought to life!!!! Love - your friends, Judith and Peik Larsen

Alan was a good friend and will be missed by all he touched

We are so saddened to hear of Alan´s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kate and all.

One of my earliest memories of my brother was when I was around 7 years old. Our family was on our yearly visit to Jones Beach. I got rolled in a wave, terrified, I was sure I would drown! That moment the strong arm of my older brother Alan lifted me out of the rolling sea. I was convinced he saved my life! He was always strong and caring.

Alan was a kind, warm human being. I always enjoyed our times together and am proud to have been part of his team at Salem.

We are so deeply sorry for this loss. Alan was such a kind, fun, and truly good man. We shared so many great memories together, and we will always cherish him. His warmth and joy touched so many lives, and he will be deeply missed.
Mostafa and the Family