Alan Brack Whitehouse
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Dr. Alan Brack Whitehouse, 90, Overland Park, KS, passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2021 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, MO after a brief illness.
Alan was born on December 22, 1931 in Rochester, NY, the son of John Ralph and Jessamine Payne Whitehouse.
Alan loved both music and science, and pursued a degree in Chemistry from St. Bonaventure University, playing saxophone in a band during the ‘big band era’ for enjoyment and to help pay for college. He was a very accomplished musician, and at one point was offered a professional music job, which he considered but declined. It was during college he met Nancy Jean Hazzard, the love of his life. She often attended his concerts when they were dating. On August 4, 1956, he married Nancy, his wife of 61 years, in Wellsville, NY. She preceded him in death on September 4, 2017.
He spent most of his career working for DuPont in New York, Iowa, and West Virginia, later retiring, moving to Kansas, and working briefly for Flexel. Early in his career, he completed his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Buffalo. He worked primarily in roles of technical leadership, and was often called to different company locations to consult on technical problems.
Alan was a lifelong member of the Catholic church, most recently at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS.
Alan was a man of many interests and hobbies. Over the years, he spent much time fishing, camping, traveling, boating, and vegetable gardening. At various times he made wine, baked bread, painted, and built things such as TVs and cars from kits. In his younger years he loved to swim and ice skate. He enjoyed sports, especially KU basketball and Buffalo Bills football. It seemed he was always tinkering, and could fix just about anything. He loved to teach by nature, and spent time teaching his children checkers, chess, swimming, how to drive a car, how to manage a budget, and often imparted his values and wisdom.
After his retirement in Lawrence, Kansas, Alan once again picked up his saxophone, and after practicing long and hard, played in two senior bands in the Lawrence area – the New Horizons Band and Junkyard Jazz. Once again, Nancy often attended his concerts.
Survivors include his children, Barbara (Randy)Westerdale of Davenport, IA, Susan (Robert) Doss, of Clive, IA, Valerie Bartels, of Clinton, IA, Richard (Jennifer) Whitehouse of Urbandale, IA, Robert (Sabine) Whitehouse of Overland Park, KS, Thomas (Heidi) Whitehouse of Castle Rock, CO, and Laurie (Gordon) Snyder of Overland Park, KS; seventeen grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Robert, and a granddaughter, Kirsten Snyder.
A Memorial Mass for Alan will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2022, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence, followed by burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Alan’s name to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS, and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.
I am sad to hear of Alans passing. I’m sure that he and Nancy are watching KU basketball from above. They were such an awesome couple. I helped out around their house for a while. If i ask Alan something he would say, better go ask the boss.
I saw the picture of the car Alan put together from a kit. Nancy said (with a grin) he had stuff all over the place. They always talked about something that one of the kids or grandkids was doing. They were very proud of their family.
I miss seeing them, They were good people. I will always have fond memories of them.
I am sorry for your loss
Dava Spohn
Alan was such a sweet man and I enjoyed him so much. I was sad when he moved from Lawrence, but he was happy to be closer to his children. I will miss his chuckle when he thought something was funny.
I was pleased to be Alan and Nancy’s neighbor for several years. They were delightful to know.
But I was especially pleased to also be a fellow musician of Alan’s. We both played together in the New Horizons Band and also in Junkyard Jazz. I was not surprised to learn from his obituary that he contemplated being a professional musician at one time.
Peace to Alan and Nancy for their next phase together.
Bruce Roberts
Bill Osborne
So sorry for your loss.Maureen and I enjoyed a great friendship with Al and Nancy for many years in Clinton and Lawrence I enjoyed many visits with Al when he and I were both at Brandon Woods.
I was a friend of Bob Whitehouse, one of Mr. Whitehouse’s sons, and I met Mr. Whitehouse as I was finishing college. I always felt a keen intelligence whenever I was around Mr. Whitehouse. This prompted me to talk about my plans for the future. Looking back I remember that he and Mrs. Whitehouse would smile mischievously at my thoughts but never dash my hopes. Now that I’ve lived a part of my life I realize how grandiose my statements were at the time and that Mr. Whitehouse was exhibiting brilliance by not dashing my hopes with the reality to come. Truly remarkable man.
Kevin Browne
I had the great pleasure of working with Al at both DuPont and Flexel in Tecumseh. I will always remember his laugh specifically when a certain co-worker would sing happy birthday. I am so sorry for his family and friends.
I’m so sorry to learn of Uncle Alan’s passing. I have very fond memories of your family. He was a lovely man and I adored your mother as well. My deepest condolences.