Alan Leif Lund

It is with great sadness that the family of Alan Leif Lund announces his passing after a sudden and brief illness on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at the age of 81 years. Alan will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years, Ellen, and his daughters Jana Jo Uhlendorf and Gina (Carl) Gentile. He will also be remembered by his sister Lois Hagen, sisters-in-law Norma Dermond and Kathy Moellenberndt, brother-in-law Jim (Cheryl) Dawson, and 19 nieces and nephews.

He was born to Leif and Janet (Jacobsen) Lund in Milwaukee, WI on August 20, 1938 and spent his youth in the greater Milwaukee area until his parents moved the family to Bellevue, WA in 1952.

Alan graduated from Bellevue High School in 1956. He enrolled in the music program at the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelors’ in Music Education, followed later by a Master’s in Music Theory. Following a brief stint in the Air Force Band at Lackland AFB he returned to the Seattle area where he took up his career in music, first in the Bellevue School District and later in the Highline School District. Additionally, he served as the director of the Boeing Chorale, the Cascadian Chorale, the Seattle Opera chorus, and in 1966, he became the first Music Director of the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society, where he served for 35 years. His work as a Peace Corps volunteer took him to Addis Ababa to work with the Orchestra Ethiopia in 1970. A few years later he became the Music Director of Sound Expression Theater in Edmonds, WA where he met the love of his life, Ellen. They married on Valentine’s Day in 1975.

In 1982 he met the other Love of his life, Jesus. From the day he invited Christ into his heart, he took every opportunity he had to revere Christ as Lord and to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asked him to give the reason for the hope he had…with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). He served his family, friends, church, and even strangers with love and compassion, always striving to love the Lord his God with all his heart, soul, and mind and to love his neighbor as himself (Mark 12:30-31).

Alan was a gifted teacher who loved his students and was devoted to teaching them the joy of making beautiful music. He is best remembered for his warm smile and laugh, his humor (he was the consummate pun master), and his profound love for all of God’s children. The sorrow felt for losing him on this earth will only be matched by the joyful reunion we will one day share with him in heaven.

A celebration of Alan’s life will be held when we can once again gather together to remember our dear friend, precious husband, loving brother, and wonderful father. Memorial donations in memory of Alan may be made to Westgate Chapel (westgatechapel.com) or Grace and Favor Ministries (graceandfavor.org).