Richard Alan "Alan" Kines

Richard "Alan" Kines, age 68, of Port Charlotte, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025, due to complications from diabetes. He was born on June 26, 1957, in Chattanooga, TN. He graduated from Tyner High School in 1975 and completed a year at UT Chattanooga before transferring to The University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he completed his bachelor's degree in Communication. While in Knoxville, he was active in both the Baptist Student Union and First Baptist Church, using his beautiful singing voice in a small ensemble called Dayspring as well as in the FBC and BSU choirs.

Shortly after graduation, Alan began his career in higher education, working at both UTK and UTC. His life in Tennessee came to a halt after a vacation in Key West where Alan met Joe Potter, the man who was to become his life partner for the next 36 years. This prompted a move to Massachusetts where Alan continued his work in admissions at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, while also completing his master's degree in Higher Education. Throughout Alan's career, he held positions as the Director of Admissions at Northeastern University in Boston, the Dean of Admissions at Worcester State College, the head of admissions at Babson College, and a final admissions post at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC.

Alan had a great passion for music and books, amassing an eclectic collection of over 4000 CDs and an impressive library of both fiction and non-fiction books too numerous to count. His reading feats were legendary, having read multiple biographies of each US president, beginning with Washington and progressing to Gerald Ford before his health declined. As a pastime, Alan created and maintained a fictional hotel chain which contained elaborate descriptions of each of his 5000 created properties. He had a marvelous sense of humor and a keen mind which was appreciated by all.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Sarah Kines and his nephew, William "Drew" Hales. He is survived by his husband, Joe Potter, his sister Meredith (Michael) Hales, his brother David Kines, nephews Dylan Hales, Dustin Hales (Phoebe), Devin Hales, great niece Emma and great nephew Theo, all of whom will miss him greatly. He will also be greatly missed by Joe's siblings Jeanette, Elaine, Blaine (Jane), Gus (Laurie), Clifford, Valerie, Deborah, Doug (Paula}, the rest of the extensive Potter clan, and his many lifelong friends.

A celebration of life will take place at First Baptist Church, Knoxville, on Tuesday, November 11, at noon, in the Fred Brown Chapel, with a light lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association via the internet at diabetes.org or by mail at P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.