Alan Fiellin

Alan Fiellin passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, in Fort Myers, Fla. Harold "Alan" Fiellin was born in Bloomington, Ill on January 27, 1929. He grew up in Bloomington and was raised by his grandparents, frequently visiting the family hog and corn farm before moving to Chicago for high school and to play trumpet in jazz bands. He attended Olivet College where he met his future wife, Barbara (Bobbie) Schuster. He received a MA from the University of Chicago and a PhD in Political Science from New York University. They started their family with the birth of their two sons while he taught political science at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH. Next, he was Congressional Fellow and special consultant to the DNC during the Kennedy administration in Washington DC. His main 30+ year career was at City College of NY (CCNY) as a political science Professor and Dean of General Education and Guidance. As Dean, he helped establish the "SEEK" program designed to meet the needs of students who were economically disadvantaged and academically underprepared. This program continues today. His family life in New Rochelle, NY, with Bobbie and sons was full. He loved boating, fishing, wood working, gardening, trumpeting, reading, global travel, a simple tomato/garlic/basil sauce, Jazz/Soul/Classical music, "Hi Fi", birds, his New York sports teams and the US Constitution. In his later years, he and Bobbie lived in Cooper's Mills, ME, and Sanibel/Fort Myers, FL and enjoyed family visits immensely. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to support political truth and societal inclusivity. He is survived by his wife Bobbie, sons Greg and David, daughter-in-law Lynn Fiellin, one great grandson – Sebastian Rio Fiellin Halas, and six grandchildren – Jordan Fiellin (Don Halas), Maya Fiellin, Nina Fiellin, Colin Sullivan, Riane Sullivan, and Liam Sullivan.