Alan Adsmond, age 101 of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away peacefully in his sleep early Tuesday morning, September 10, 2024. Alan was born in Bryan, Ohio on August 19, 1923 to Albert and Alta (Boucher) Adsmond. He had two brothers, Marvin and David, who died as infants and two sisters, Jeanne Bokerman and Janice Pean who preceded him in death.
After graduating from Bryan High School, he served his country in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 during World War II. His tour of duty was with the 277th Combat Engineer Battalion in Europe. Under the G.I. Bill, he studied at Kent State University in Ohio, graduated from the Chicago Academy of Fine Art, and did additional studies at the Los Angeles Art Center School and Biarritz University in southern France.
Alan’s career as a commercial artist brought him to Grand Rapids, where he met the love of his life, Lou Meyers (an instrumental music teacher). They were married in 1956 and raised their three children on 11 acres of land on the outskirts of Grand Rapids. His hobbies were many and varied. Besides painting, he enjoyed gardening, hiking, backpacking, orienteering, skiing, snowshoeing, and running. He did the 25K Riverbank Run for some 15 years as well as other 5K and 10K runs. In the 1970s and 80s, Alan took extensive wilderness survival training, after which he led 4-H youth groups in a program called “Challenge” which included rock climbing, caving, compass work, and other survival techniques. A lifelong dream was fulfilled in 1990 when he and his son, Dan, backpacked the 2168-mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. He was a longtime member of Grandville United Methodist Church, the West Michigan Chapter of the North Country Trail Association, Gilda’s Club, and Rivertown Artist’s Guild.
Alan was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Lou Adsmond, and is survived by daughter, Sue Fox (Clifton Fox); sons Dan (Debra) and Steve (Brenda); as well as five grandchildren Caroline, Isabelle, Elizabeth, Megan, and Lauren.
The family is grateful for the care that Alan received from the staff at Porter Hills and from the caregivers of Emmanuel Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Porter Hills Benevolence Fund or to Grandville United Methodist Church.
A celebration of life will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024, with visitation from 12:30-1:30 p.m., at Grandville United Methodist Church. Service will be followed by military honors and burial at the Maplewood Cemetery in Lamont at 3:30 p.m. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.
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