Allan Troxler

1947 - 2025

Allan Kirkpatrick Troxler -- graphic artist, mask-puppet-and-banner maker, violinist, country dance teacher, community activist, and devoted friend -- died at age 78 at Brookdale Memory Care in Chapel Hill on October 26, 2025. His final days were filled with Haydn quartets, songs from his childhood, and the voices and touch of so many who loved him.

Allan was born April 22, 1947 and grew up in Greensboro, the son of respected civil rights and peace activist Catherine Kirkpatrick Troxler and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Eulyss Robert Troxler. Allan served his country during the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector, working to preserve Boston neighborhoods threatened by urban development. Later, Allan moved to a communal farm in rural Oregon with his partner, noted gay activist Carl Wittman. While in Oregon, Allan and Carl helped to publish RFD, a magazine for gay men living in rural America.

Returning to North Carolina in 1979, Allan and Carl settled in East Durham where they renovated neighboring houses. Both devotees of English Country Dance and leaders in a national dance movement, they started Sun Assembly, its weekly dances and New Year's celebrations in Durham weaving an egalitarian community beyond gender binaries. Over the years they helped organize a range of community projects and protests. Carl died of AIDS in early 1986 but remained Allan's life partner.

Beauty was Allan's main medium, his daily mode random acts of kindness, and he did everything with extraordinary patience and care. A gardener who crafted incredible bouquets to bring to ceremonial events (from dinners to birthdays to memorials or sick rooms), he would arrive at your door with armfuls of flowers and juggling vases. His posters for Dance or the next demonstration are so exquisite that many still adorn refrigerators across the Triangle.

Allan Troxler was also fondly known by his many friends and followers as E. Bunny. For decades he gorgeously Rit-dyed dozens of eggs, crafted that year's unique basket and tiny Easter book with original text and art, then drove through the night around the Triangle, delivering these bundles to our doorsteps by Easter morning.

His artwork and papers reside more formally beside Carl Wittman's at the Duke University's Rubenstein Library. Allan was honored as an LGBT Pioneer at the Executive Mansion by Governor Roy Cooper in June 2024 along with Mandy Carter as Carolinians who "for decades led the charge for acceptance and equality."

Allan is preceded in death by his parents Catherine and Eulyss Troxler, and is survived by siblings Chris Troxler (Kathryn), Susan Trackman, Nancy Troxler (Brian) and Rebecca Ryan (Kevin), numerous nieces and nephews, and many members of his chosen family. A celebration of Allan's life will happen in 2026.

From Allan's writings: "Here we be, ears ringing as some of us grieve ancient companions just gone; others meting out pills; potions in portions. Through the window cicadas rattle their ancient benedictions: Life, death. Through the curtain Sister Heavenly Light blesses us all."

In lieu of flowers please direct online donations to WUNC or checks to Southern Tier Women's Health Access Fund, PO Box 642, Vestal NY 13851.