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Richard Henry Alsleben

1930 - 2015

BORN

1930

DIED

2015

Richard Alsleben Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Richard Henry Alsleben
Start: 2015-11-06T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Boulevard Park Church

Richard Henry Alsleben

Richard was born November 30,

1930 in Portland, Oregon. He died October 29, 2015 in Seattle of congestive heart failure. He served in the 822nd Engineering Aviation Battalion in Korea. Rich taught Biology and P.E. at Chief Sealth and West Seattle High Schools where he was varsity basketball coach for 17 years and varsity tennis coach for 15 years.

He is survived by his wife of 62,

years Barbara; daughters, Kathleen Lauzis (Oly) and Susan Finn (Don); eight grandchildren and their spouses and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial service is Friday, November 6, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Boulevard Park Church, 1822 South 128th St., Burien, Washington. Burial at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery, November 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Nov. 1, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Alsleben

Sponsored by The Family.

14 Entries

December 15, 2015

One of my favorite teachers WSH 1987
RIP Mr Alseben, Thanks for listening

Paul Weisz

December 14, 2015

Mr. Alsleben was one of my favorite teachers at WSHS over the years. He encouraged and supported me in both my studies and faith. Grateful to have known him and to have his influence in my life.
Paul Weisz

Melissa Shaw

November 9, 2015

It's nice to celebrate life and honor our Alsleben blood line. It's great to see longevity and wonderful people on our line. Greetings cousins!

Nick Sweeney

November 7, 2015

I did not succeed in sharing what I hoped to share at the memorial. So I will share it here.

I am a former student of Rich Alsleben. He was a teacher and coach of mine at West Seattle High school. While my statement is personal, I believe I represent people who were touched by this man over decades. Mr. Alsleben is one of those very special people we get the rare opportunity to know in our lives. When we were young we focused on the things we thought were important: School, sports and ourselves. Coach Alsleben was different. For some reason he was focused on people, his students. He wanted to see us succeed. He wanted the best for us. For those who were focused on themselves, this was a very different thing. Initially my thought was, here is a really nice guy. I like him a lot. He makes me feel better when I am around him. He had the gift of encouragement. He was kind to everyone. It was impossible not to enjoy being with him.

Coach Alsleben was an educator. He was teaching us all the time. I remember him talking with me before one of our games. He said when you go to meet your opponent look him straight in the eye, give him a big smile and firmly grip his hand. Let him know you are ready and not intimidated. As I prepared to jump center against a kid who was 6-9, I thought that was crazy. But as it was with most everything he taught us, there was another purpose in mind. He was teaching us how to be brave, how to be courageous in the face of adversity. And we listened. But what so many of us did not understand is that while he was teaching us about science and basketball, he was also teaching us about life. When I was with him I knew there was something very good about him, but I didn't know what it was. Why was he so good?

Being that he was a teacher and coach of many people, I did not appreciate or understand the fact that this man had made the students of our school his ministry. Coach Alsleben was changing our lives through his faith. While we saw him as a teacher and coach, Rich Alsleben was giving his life away as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Coach looked out for many of us who had a tough start in life. As a young man who did not know where to go, this wonderful man provided me with direction. Coach did what he could to help me, even taking me to his home to work in his yard. He took me to church. He got me involved with a youth group. My confidence began to grow because he was so encouraging.

For many of us, he made it clear that he loved us without condition. How rare is it today that a person would love someone without condition. Coach planted many seeds into the lives of his students, he watered as well. Today I acknowledge that it was his influence that finally convinced me to turn my life over to the Lord. Finally, I knew the answer to the question, what made him so different, so good: He was a Christian who was fulfilling the great commission. It was over forty years ago that he made time for a foolish teenager. Yet in all those years I never lost my grip on the love he demonstrated to me and to so many others. He gave me an example of the love of God that I will never let go. I have always wondered, how many lives were changed because of this godly man? I am certain it is without number.
A few years ago I had an opportunity to meet with Rich and Barb at one of our schools over in Bremerton. It caused me to remember the impact he made on me and so many of my classmates. So I penned a brief note because I wanted him to know what he meant to me. I would like to read it to you now.

Dear Rich and Barb,

What a blessing it was for me to get to see you. I am so thankful I had a chance to share a little bit of what has happened to us over 35 years. Today you may recall how significant your ministry was in one person's life. Because you elected to be God's man and do what is right, you have helped me to become like my teacher. Your obedience to our father saved me. I can't thank you enough. In heaven we will get a chance to recall the good things that we saw and experienced here. What I will get to share is that I will get the privilege of standing in the kingdom because a servant of God did his job well. God bless you, good and faithful servant. It is my pleasure to be a little like you.

I share with my teachers in my school to consider the influence of people like coach Alsleben. Many of the teachers in our schools are God's people doing their best to build disciples in our world today, just as coach did for me. I ask this question of my teachers, and now I ask it of you: Who will you reach out to this day? Each of us has a chance to reach into the lives of those around us like our brother Rich did. We have the opportunity to bring them closer to the truth. They are surrounding you in our world today. Notice them, love them and be the reflection of Christ so many need. Coach, speaking for all the students you have ever loved, we will always love you my friend. We will do our best to follow your example.

STACY COLOMBEL

November 4, 2015

I really appreciated the help Rich as Inspector gave to I and several others as poll workers in the past. We all kept in touch at lunch two times a year. He was always fun to talk to. We will miss him.

November 4, 2015

Thank you for all you did for me on and off the court. Rest In Peace Coach, you will be missed.

Mark Van Antwerp
Seattle, WA.

Jennifer Carlisle

November 2, 2015

Rest in Peace Mr. Alsleben. You were a wonderful teacher who nurtured my love of biology. Loved your stories. Still remember the one about your brother, that ended with a knife in the sternum. Your stories of life, fate, faith and compassion were more valuable than those class lessons that I looked forward to, every day. Thank you. God Bless.

Dagmar Esteban-Crosby

November 2, 2015

My deepest condolences to the Alsleben Family. Mr. Alsleben was my Biology teacher at WSHS. He was one of my favorite teachers!! He made the class fun and interesting, and he sincerely encouraged his students to succeed.

Janice Johnson-Rickert

November 2, 2015

Mr. A was my favorite high school teacher (1980-1982). I had the honor of taking his Biology classes as well as being on of his Teacher's Assistants for 2 1/2 years.

He was a great teacher and a true gentleman.

My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Alsleben and the rest of his family.

Christine Strayer

November 2, 2015

My condolences to the Alsleben Family.
Mr Alsleben was my favorite teacher at WSHS 1983-1986. I had him for Biology 3 and 4 he was also my tennis coach he was such a kind man. Rip.

Brad Fletcher

November 2, 2015

He was my Gym Teacher at WSHS for a year or two early 70's. Such a nice man. RIP

Paul Folino

November 2, 2015

I played basketball for Dick in 1962 and 1963 at West Seattle High School and always appreciated his values and how much he loved his family and his students. His spirit will live on and I know the best is yet to come for Coach Alsleben! My heart goes out to his lovely family!

Dennis Kandel

November 2, 2015

It has been many years since I have seen him. I have fond memories of Thanksgiving at theer house. I even got to "play" against his basketball team while I was attending King's Garden. RIP Cousin.....I know you lived a life dedicated to God!

Marcia Smith

November 1, 2015

Barb and family,
So sorry to hear of Rich's passing, but all know he's with the Lord, and with so many other fellow saints, to celebrate with, in his homecoming. We always enjoyed visiting with both of you, as we would connect at different occasions, and always thought Rich was such a kind and compassionate, and friendly person, and enjoyed talking to him about on different subjects. We will plan on attending the service, and know that you and yours will also be in our prayers, and have been.
Love in Christ, Marcia, Ralph, and Kim Smith:)

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