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Alan Ackerman Obituary
Alan Ackerman died in Berkeley, California February 23, 2023 after a three year struggle with dementia. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, February 8, 1947 and grew up in Texas, where his parents, Louise Rodgers Ackerman and William Blake Ackerman, settled. He graduated from Reed College with a BA in mathematics in 1968, and in 1972, completed an MA, also in Math, at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz. Alan lived in Berkeley for 52 years, working as a computer programmer for various companies. He met his wife, Betsy St. Aubin, there and they married in 1983. Alan was a great nature enthusiast; weekend hikes and many family camping trips were cherished experiences. Over the years he became a wonderful wildflower photographer. He loved reading, particularly natural science books and mysteries.He also much enjoyed music and dance; singing was his greatest delight. He was a longtime member of the of the SF Folk Music Club and participated in several folk dance groups as well as folk singing groups. He was an exuberant English and Scottish country dancer. Alan adored being a father and grandfather. He had the most beautiful smile! He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Schofield (Ken). Alan is survived by his wife, Betsy, daughters, Clara Ackerman and Esther Ackerman (David), brother, George Ackerman (Diane), nephews David Schofield (Diane) and Blake Schofield (Jessica) and grandsons, Calvin and Sasha Manshardt.
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Memories and Condolences
for Alan Ackerman
6 Entries
Greg
September 1, 2023
Alan was a favorite colleague.
Erik Schutter
April 9, 2023
Dear Betsy and family. I am sad to hear of Alan´s passing.
I met and danced with him from the early seventies onwards at UC
Berkeley, was in a small informal performance dance group to protest the Cambodian bombings with him at that time, more recently dancing English country dancing and enjoyed his company always. May he Rest In Peace and Tranquillity
With Love,
Erik Schutter
Linda Juhala
April 5, 2023
I used to do Scottish Country Dance with Alan in the Berkeley Intermediate class. He always had a big smile, and was a lot of fun to dance with! I'm glad that I met him. I like spending time with people that laugh a lot.
I am sorry for your loss, Betsy!
Martha McConaghy
April 3, 2023
I am very sorry to hear of Alan's passing. I knew him for many years via SHARE and the z/VM community. His humor and personality made him a favorite of my work related friends. I always fondly thought of him as our "absent-minded professor", who always loved to get into a philosophical discussion about some detail of mainframes, especially z/VM. I read in his obit that he loved being a grandfather, and I'm sure he was a terrific one. My sympathy to everyone in his family at your loss.
Bill Bitner
April 1, 2023
Alan was one of my customers, and I considered him one of my friends. My condolences to the family. He was witty, and sometimes silly, and often insightful. I think of him as having two laughs. One was more childlike, a little snicker. And the other laugh was louder, and seemed less controlled. I remember him laughing often. He laughed with you, not at you. We'll miss you Alan.
Gregg Levine
March 31, 2023
I found your advice and commentary on how to manage a grouchy IBM mainframe exemplary. Even perfect and spot on.
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