Alistair Stott

He grew up in Edinburgh, attending George Heriot’s School, and, in 1945, entered into an apprenticeship with a firm of Chartered Accountants. During this apprenticeship, he also attended Edinburgh University as a non-matriculated student. In 1950, he completed his apprenticeship and passed the necessary examinations to become a member of the Edinburgh Association of Chartered Accountants, which most immediately merged with other cities to become the Scottish Association of Chartered Accountants.

He continued to work for his employer until 1954 when he emigrated to the USA as the first step on a working tour around the world to ultimately return to London. He was employed in New York by Price Waterhouse. In 1957, in what he expected would be his final year with them, he was assigned to work in Bethlehem, PA, and just before leaving, he had dinner with friends, among whom was the young lady who ran the travel department at the PW & Co. by name Greta Hirsimaki. That Christmas, he became engaged to Greta and in April of 1958, rather than leaving for the next phase of the trip, they were married.

In 1961, back in New York, finding they were unable to have children of their own, they adopted Alison. In 1962, Alistair took a position with a company in Allentown, PA and in 1964, they adopted Jennifer. Alistair also became naturalized and obtained his Certified Public Accountant certificate.

In 1974, they moved to Connecticut and he spent a number of years as Controller of an organization with branches in eight European countries. In 1979, Alistair accepted a position as Vice President, Finance with the Dico Company in Des Moines, IA, where he worked until his retirement.

Unhappily, he lost Greta in 2007 when she had a heart attack, just a few months before their fiftieth anniversary. He has, much to his surprise, become a great grandfather to some lovely children thanks to Jennifer’s two daughters and Alistair was loved by his 6 grandchildren. He also had a special relationship with his nephew, Gavin Stott.

He appeared to be following in the footsteps of his mother, who died in 1998 at the age of 93. He was fortunate to have relatively good health for most of his retirement years, getting around with a cane for the final years.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Stott family.