Alan Davis

Alan Hale Davis, Sr., of Guildhall, Vermont, formerly of Plymouth, New Hampshire, passed away in Berlin, New Hampshire, on January 13, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 97.

Al was born on October 22, 1927, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Frank E. and Priscilla Hale Davis, and was raised in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. He attended local schools in Jaffrey and in Fort Pierce, Florida, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Al graduated from Conant High School, Class of 1945.

After begging his parents for months for their consent to enlist in the U.S. Navy, he finally got it, enlisting in February, 1945, at the age of 17. He trained for an invasion of Japan that did not take place, and served in the Navy until being honorably discharged, in 1947. After considering reenlistment and a career in the Navy, he went to college on the G.I. Bill.

After completing his undergraduate degree at Keene Teachers' College (later Keene State College), he taught science at local schools in Charlestown, Canaan, and Laconia, New Hampshire. After doing graduate work at Brown University, he earned an M.S. from the University of New Hampshire, in 1962. In 1963, he took a job teaching chemistry at Plymouth Teachers' College, which became Plymouth State College that same year. He also coached the Plymouth ski team for many years. While teaching at Plymouth State, he completed his Ed.D. at the University of Maine, Orono. He retired as a full professor from Plymouth State University in 2005, and later moved to Guildhall, Vermont, with his wife, Susan Swope.

Al was an avid skier and hiker. As a skier, he had a classy, old-school technique that was widely admired. He enjoyed hiking with family in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and at various national parks out West, particularly Grand Canyon. In addition to the outdoors, Al enjoyed reading about anthropology and American history. Although he was a Republican when he was young, he became a liberal Democrat in the early 1970s and remained one for the rest of his life.

He is survived by wife Susan Swope, of Guildhall, VT; sons Alan Jr., of Franklin, NH (wife Chris), Stephen, of Laconia, NH, James.(wife Lynn), of Plymouth, NH; daughter Nancy Benedix-Morse (husband Kevin), of Campton, NH; stepson Sam Swope (wife Linnzi Furman), of Guildhall, VT; grandchildren Matt Benedix, Eric Davis, Kevin Davis, Jeff Davis, Taylor Davis, Corey Davis, Hannah Davis, and step-grandson Alex Swope, in addition to 6 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and the numerous friends he made over the years. He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Ann; grandson Nick Benedix; and sister Rebecca Davis.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Barn on The Pemi, 341 Daniel Webster Highway (Route 3), Plymouth, NH. Heavy appetizers will be provided, and there will be a cash bar.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Al's memory to the New England Ski Museum or to the Mt. Washington Avalanche Center Foundation.