Alfred "Al" Akerman

Alfred "Al" Akerman passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at his home in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Born in Washington, DC in 1946, he was the third of Robert and Anna Stone Akerman's four children. Al had fond memories of his early life in rural Georgia and summers visiting his grandfather at the Seward Forest in Virginia. One memorable day, he helped a visiting herpetologist survey the forest's snake population. The scientist's job? Stand on the trail with a sack. Young Alfred's job? Dive into any rustling bushes and emerge with snakes for the sack!

A childhood fascination with astronomy and radios led Al to study physics at the University of Virginia, graduating in 1968. He was recruited for flight school by both the Air Force and the Navy but the superior grub at Navy mess halls made his choice easy. His choice also was fortunate: While at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi he met Margo Lee McMaster, then serving in the Navy as the public affairs officer; within months, they were married.

After completing their military service, Margo and Al completed graduate degrees at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Al's PhD dissertation demonstrated the world's first directly nuclear-pumped visible wavelength laser. During those years, they also welcomed their two children.

A subsequent move to Knoxville led both Al and Margo to fall in love with East Tennessee. Al worked at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory from 1977 until his retirement in 2004, making innovative contributions, earning patents, and becoming a respected leader and mentor. Aside from a year's sabbatical at the University of New South Wales in Australia, Knoxville remained their home. In retirement, he became a dedicated entrepreneur and investor, which allowed him and fellow scientists to continue their research.

Al's retirement also allowed him to return to his love of flying. As a certified flight instructor, he supported the Knoxville Flyers, teaching lessons, giving flight reviews to countless members, and serving as the club's president.

Al was deeply engaged in his community. In 1980, Al and Margo purchased and restored a historic Victorian home near the University of Tennessee campus, operating it as the Three Chimneys Bed and Breakfast. The inn thrived through the World's Fair and earned recognition for historic preservation. A member of Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church for 49 years, he served as an usher and elder. He was also honored to join Margo in the Irving Club, one of Knoxville's oldest active literary groups.

A lifelong learner, Al delighted in reading and discussing new material with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. While his latest passions were swimming and playing the ukulele, he always loved hosting family gatherings with enthusiastic humor. His joke-telling was… improving?

Alfred was preceded in death by his parents and, in 2020, by Margo, his beloved wife of 50 years. He is survived by his children Dori (husband Ian Stiefel) and Adan (wife Jennifer Akerman); grandchildren Mairen Stiefel and Fox Akerman; sister-in-law Jill McMaster; sisters Laura Yates, Emily Bowling, and Ruth Anna Stolk; and cherished nieces and nephews.

An informal reception will be held on February 7, 2026, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm in the Barron Fellowship Hall of Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Tennessee. All are welcome to celebrate Al's legacy of quiet service, generosity, and joy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to FISH Hospitality Pantries