Alan Stephenson

1933 - 2018

Alan Stephenson

Alan passed away peacefully in his Lake Forest Park home on Labor Day, 2018 surrounded by his family and by the love of his life and his partner for the past 30 years, Peggy Scott. He was 85 years old.

Born in Oakland, California, in 1933, Alan moved to Seattle at the age of 3 and was raised on Greenlake Way by his tenacious widowed mother, Hildegarde Stephenson Berthiaume, and

with his younger sister, Diana Stephenson Cavalieri, both of whom preceded him in death.

He attended Greenlake and Ravenna grade schools and was a proud Roosevelt Roughrider from the closely-knit class of '51. From his early years Alan was known for his wit, charisma, charm, devotion to friends and family, and his devilish way with people. His communication and writing skills were evident as he showed interest in writing for school publications, the yearbook, and sports articles. Sports became his passion, especially playing on Roosevelt's basketball and track teams. He would fondly recall playing pickup ball with childhood friends in the alley behind his home. After high school, Alan matriculated to Lewis and Clark College for a year, then came home to the University of Washington where he joined the Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) fraternity, graduating with a Communications degree three years later. Throughout his life he enjoyed many reunions and luncheons with the friends he made during these early years.

After college and two years in the Army at Ft. Monmouth, NJ, where he continued to play basketball and pursued his passion for communication and journalism, he returned to Seattle and began working in media and advertising which would encompass his entire professional career. He began working behind the KIRO camera of the JP Patches show and found his way into marketing for the Wendell West Corporation, which was promoting THE destination resort in the Northwest - Ocean Shores. He brought in notable stars such as Pat Boone, and many professional golfers, including Arnold Palmer. Following this experience Alan founded the Stephenson Agency in the early 70's, and ran advertising campaigns for numerous clients, most notably as the director for Stihl's advertising throughout the Northwest. He enjoyed being in his office next to the Seattle Center, receiving salespeople, friends, and colleagues from behind his desk at 158 Thomas Street, "during his office hours from 10am - 2:30pm weekdays."

After 31 years Alan closed down his business and entered a well-earned retirement. He loved traveling - locally, and around the world; golfing, reading, boating, gardening, discussing politics, and rooting on his Huskies, Seahawks (for which he was a charter season ticket holder), and Mariners. More recently, Alan and Peggy enjoyed extended vacations each winter in Palm Desert where they would golf, enjoy the 4pm happy hours at the local restaurants, and see friends. Alan never failed to inquire about the details of the lives of anyone he encountered - whether it was a waitress at his favorite haunt, the Wedgwood Broiler, or his kids, or a neighbor. Conversation or interrogation, the "great inquisitor" loved the dialogue and had a sincere interest in what was happening in the lives of his friends and family. His gregarious nature belied the fact that he was a very private person.

To all who loved Alan, we will always remember his bright eyes, his quick wit, the entertaining and precisely timed messages on his vintage home answering machine, and his love for his family. He will be greatly missed by his two children, Barbara Hartley (Steve), Gordon Stephenson (Mary) and his five grandchildren: Blake, Amanda, Sheridan, John, and Danny; as well as Peggy's daughters, Maureen Sprague and Andrea Scott.

His family is grateful to Providence Hospice for their thoughtful care and support in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation in Alan's honor be given to the American Cancer Society.