Alan Szu-Lan Tsao

Alan Szu-Lan Tsao, 55, of Elgin, Illinois, went home to be with the Lord on June 9, 2025. He was born on March 26, 1970, in Taiwan to Mei-Chih and Kuey-Yeou Tsao. When he was just a year old, his family moved to the United States, where he grew up and spent his life as an Illinois resident-much to his dismay. As a child, he loved to fish, played Little League baseball, and developed a lifelong love for the game. One of his favorite memories was attending the Little League World Series in 1973 when Taiwan won. A thinker at heart, he enjoyed games like Magic: The Gathering, chess, and poker, and also practiced Judo.

Alan attended the University of Illinois and built a career in finance, eventually shifting his focus to nonprofit work, with his most recent role at The Salvation Army. He loved using his skills to support organizations that shared the good news of Jesus Christ. His faith was the foundation of his life, and he lived with the peace of knowing that his eternity was secure through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Alan was incredibly generous and giving to those around him. He looked out for his sister growing up and carried that steady, calming presence with him throughout his life. Even-keeled and thoughtful, Alan was a steady rock for his family and friends. His sense of humor was dry and sometimes not quite appropriate for all audiences, but it was one of the many ways he brought laughter and life to every room he entered.

He loved fishing-teaching all his kids from a young age-and spent countless days on lakes in the Upper Peninsula, on Lake Michigan, and on neighborhood and local lakes. He also loved to hunt, build computers, and collect and build guns. A passionate expert on the grill, Alan loved meat in all forms, especially when it meant he could host, feed people, and make sure everyone's drinks never ran empty. He believed his home was a gift from the Lord, meant to be stewarded well, and loved using it to love and serve others.

Alan had a knack for tracking down viral, hard-to-find items and loved the thrill of a great deal. But nothing brought him more joy than being with his family. He cheered at countless baseball games for Riley and Holden and made it his mission to sample food at every concession stand in District 13 with Samantha. He faithfully supported Samantha in her love of dance-attending performances and willingly taking on the role of chauffeur most days of the week. More than anything, he partnered with his wife to raise their children to love and honor God and to love and serve others.

Alan trusted fully in the Lord's provision and saw God's faithfulness again and again throughout his life. More than anything, Alan would want everyone to know that his hope for eternity is in heaven-not because of anything he did, but because of God's grace through Jesus.

Alan is survived by his parents, Mei-Chih and Kuey-Yeou Tsao; his wife, Abby Tsao; his children, Samantha, Riley, and Holden; his sister and brother-in-law, Anne Tsao Clemens and Mark Clemens; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jason and Kelly Ebbing; and his beloved niece and nephew, Madilyn and Payton Ebbing.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Grace Evangelical Church, 1800 Bowes Road, Elgin, IL, with a Celebration of Life service immediately following. A meal will be served after the conclusion of the service. Please feel free to dress casually and comfortably-baseball hats included.

Although we are heartbroken to not have him here with us, we are filled with joy and peace because we are confident he is in heaven with his loving Father.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up to support his wife and children.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.