Alan Michael Deitch

After 77 years of going through life with one foot firmly planted in insanity and the other precariously perched on a banana peel, Alan Michael Deitch passed peacefully on April 3, 2025. Alan was born in Philadelphia on October 7, 1947, to Bernard “Bernie” Deitch and Betty (Mash) Deitch.

By all accounts, Alan grew up in a loving, traditional, kosher home, so we don’t know whom to hold responsible. Always one to push the limits and seek new experiences, when Alan received his first personal money, he surreptitiously went to the deli to buy a non-kosher sandwich.

While a student at Central High School in Philadelphia, Alan was a star athlete with many friends, whom he continued to enjoy seeing at reunions throughout his life. He won the citywide Pitch-o-Meter contest at Connie Mack when he was only 16 years old. He also played football and basketball. In his adulthood, he enjoyed teaching his children to play sports and attending their practices and games. Among many fond memories of their childhoods, his children lovingly recall spending every weekend playing games with him –bowling, mini golf, chip and putt, catch, and basketball. He enjoyed watching sports and rooting for the Eagles and Phillies. In his lifetime, he got to revel in the excitement of seeing the Phillies win two World Series and the Eagles win two Super Bowls. When it was announced that the Eagles would be playing in the 2025 Super Bowl, he began wearing his Eagles ballcap every day and said, “I’m going to wear this every day until they win the Super Bowl.” His family and friends were thrilled – and relieved for the hat’s sake – that the Eagles won.

Alan had an unusual knack for numbers, which he passed on to his son Bob who became a CPA. Alan could visually estimate crowd sizes, accurately guess anyone’s height and weight, and correctly ascertain the distance between his golf ball and the putting green. During car rides in the days before GPS, he could answer with precision exactly how many more minutes the journey would take when his kids in the backseat would ask, “Are we there yet?” He could also solve math problems astonishingly quickly in his head, tallying the total at the grocery store before the register produced it. Although this talent was never put to any profitable use, it was nevertheless fun to watch.

Throughout Alan’s life, he had many big experiences, including seeing the Grand Canyon (from a comically safe distance – staying with the car and fretting while the family went to the observation deck) and attending Woodstock (giving the only believable account of the experience – “I don’t remember much about it”). But he always said that the happiest day of his life was when he became a father. In addition to finally achieving his dream of becoming a dad at age 43, his daughter was born at dinnertime in an upscale hospital, and his wife Michelle didn’t want the lobster dinner they served to the new parents. Thus, in the span of a few hours, he got a daughter and two lobster dinners. The happiest day of his life!

Less than two years later, Alan welcomed his son Bob whom he loved very much. Alan was always present in his children’s lives and was a fun dad. His children were his pride and joy, and he never stopped talking about them to anyone who would listen. In his later years, his captive audience of nurses and staff at the nursing home kindly entertained him as he spoke with pride about his kids and shared regular updates. He wore ballcaps and t-shirts from his kids’ colleges and relished every opportunity to talk about his children’s accomplishments.

At the facility, he was an active participant in Bingo, art classes, movie screenings, holiday celebrations, and Bible studies. As much as he enjoyed those activities, he also looked forward to getting out for his weekly “lunch dates” with his daughter. Throughout his life, he always appreciated the little things. He enjoyed socializing and joking with others, relaxing in the sunshine on warm days, and eating foods that necessitated extra doses of insulin.

Alan had a passion for life and desire for longevity that allowed him to survive so many close calls that he earned the nickname “Teflon Al.” Although his family is devastated that the Teflon has worn off, they are grateful to have had extra innings with him. Many years ago, when asked what he wanted after he passed, he said, “I’d like to be buried in Valley Forge, and I’d like my headstone to say, ‘He wasn’t in the Revolutionary War, but boy was he revolting!’” His family has made the decision not to honor that wish.

Alan is survived by his wife Michelle (Pitts) Deitch, children Brittany Deitch (Adam) and Robert “Bob” Deitch (Sharon), daughters by marriage Rachelle Whitney (John) and Ashley From (Daniel), and their children Hannah and Josh From. He is preceded in death by his parents Bernie and Betty (Mash) Deitch, brothers Murray and Robert “Bobby” Deitch, and beloved son by marriage Matthew Thompson.