Alan Kerry Nirady

Dr. Alan K. Nirady was born on December 10, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio. The eldest of two children, Alan grew up with his sister, Karyn, and attended Garfield Heights High School before moving on to the University of Toledo. Though they went to rival high schools, Alan met Carole Homorogan through friends, a meeting that would change his life. They married in August of 1963 and soon moved to Kansas City, Missouri, so Alan could pursue his D.O. degree at The Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine (now Kansas City University). Those years in Kansas City were some of their most memorable; they welcomed their daughter Lisa and met a group of wonderful friends who truly became family.

Life eventually led them to Trenton, Michigan, where their daughter Karla was born, and then to Battle Creek, where Alan officially began his practice as an Anesthesiologist. They spent ten enjoyable years in Battle Creek, building a social life full of travel and great friends. Along the way, Alan found his love of wine and wine collecting. The house in Battle Creek was built with an old bomb shelter which he quickly turned into a wine cellar. Nothing fancy, but a perfect cool, dark place for his first bottles.

After thirty years of cold Midwest winters, Alan decided it was finally time to head West. During a trip to California for a medical conference, he and Carole fell in love with the area, bought a house, and relocated the family to Aptos in 1980. Alan continued his career in anesthesia at Santa Cruz Medical Center and later Watsonville Community Hospital. As the years passed, his love for wine grew along with his collection and group of wine-loving friends. This group, fondly known as "Same Time Next Year," traveled many places together from a Montana dude ranch to NYC to Northern Michigan and even the Burgundy region of France. Alan loved traveling and sharing his wine knowledge and collection with his friends.

In 2006, some major health challenges were thrown Alan's way. After battling kidney and bladder cancer, he became septic and was life-flighted to Stanford Medical Center. The doctors worked wonders to save his life, but the side effects of his medication resulted in the loss of his fingers, toes, and half of both feet. Most people might have given up, but Alan spent the next few years rehabbing and undergoing surgeries with a quiet determination. When he was introduced to hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help his own wounds heal, he didn't just recover, he chartered a new career path.

Since he could no longer practice anesthesia, he became the Director of Hyperbaric Medicine and was instrumental in helping Watsonville Hospital install its first two chambers. Because he had been a patient himself, he had a deep, personal understanding of how much this therapy helped others. He never let his disability stand in his way or used it as an excuse. Instead, he found a new way to do what he loved most: helping and healing people.

Alan touched many lives, whether through his calm bedside manner as a doctor or his loyalty as a friend. He was a trusted, steady presence. He was an amazing father, husband, doctor and friend, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Alan was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 49 years, Carole, and his sister, Karyn. He is survived by his two daughters and their spouses: Dr. Lisa Nirady Pristas and Dr. Rene Pristas; Karla Cleary and Mac Cleary; and his grandchildren: Lauren, Max, Natalie Pristas; and Ava and Cal Cleary.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date, with details to follow.