Alan Preszler

Alan Melvin Preszler, 86, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on February 14, 2026, in Boise, Idaho, after a life of classified secrets, unclassified mischief, and unwavering love.

He was born on July 11, 1939, in Missoula, Montana, to Melvin and Pauline (Treichel) Preszler. His brother and best friend, Jerry Preszler, followed a few years later and the two caused havoc together for decades to come.

Alan joined the Navy right out of high school and the service took him around the world including Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, and South America. But it was back in Montana that a chance encounter would change his life forever when his brother Jerry and a kid named Bill Paddock decided to race their pumpkin seed boats on Seeley Lake. No one remembers who won the race, but after Bill invited the brothers back to his house, Alan couldn't forget meeting Bill's sister Shari.

Coincidence would eventually place them both in Southern California. Persistence would eventually get Shari to agree to marry him. They went on to have two brilliant and devastatingly attractive children, Brent and Alison.

Following the Navy, Alan received his PhD in Geo and Planetary Physics from the University of California, Riverside, but was ever humble about the accomplishment, "We didn't really know that much about space back then so it wasn't as hard."

This education took him in interesting-but often top secret-directions in his career including extensive work with the federal government in counter-terrorism intelligence, arms control diplomacy, and chemical weapons detection.

When recently asked what his biggest accomplishment was in life, he said "well, you two kids, of course!" High praise considering he could point to a space shuttle at the Smithsonian that he worked on, had danced on tables with drunk Russian diplomats in Moscow, helped smuggle uranium out of Kazakhstan, and did probably a million other fascinating things his security clearance required him to take to his grave.

Cancer took him in the end. Which is surprising because of his history of risky behavior including nearly crashing a nuclear submarine, cliff diving in Acapulco, foregoing seatbelts (or any other safety measure), exploring the backcountry alone on the hunt for interesting rocks, and just a general lifelong disdain for authority.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Pauline Preszler, and his brother Jerry Preszler. Alan is survived by his children, Brent Preszler and Alison Southwick; his grandchildren, Christian Preszler and Hanna Southwick; his niece Tina Bailen, and nephews, Darren Preszler and Richard Preszler; and his former wife, Sharon Preszler.

In lieu of flowers, you can honor Alan's memory by going for a long hike, ideally with a dog by your side, and be on the lookout for interesting rocks. Or you could just get some ice cream if that's easier. Make it a waffle cone while you're at it; that's what Alan would have done.