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Eight Bells... Alan Bates

Published on 10/9/2018

Alan Bates
Fleet 126 member Alan Bates died last week after a 5 year battle with prostate cancer at the age of 59.  Alan was instrumental in planning the 2013 Lightning North Americans.  

Even as his disease progressed, Alan never forget his Lightning family.  He took time to visit with us at the 2017 ACCs in Vermont when he had trouble walking.  Rest In Peace.




Alan Bates took his leave peacefully on October 2, 2018 wrapped in the everlasting love of his daughters and his one and only Elizabeth. Alan is cherished by his three daughters who feel blessed to call him dad. He taught them to run, whistle, spit, do the swami dance, ski, sail, paint, state capitals, world history, how an engine works, how to build a fire, drive stick shift, appreciate classic rock music and root for Cleveland sports teams. Together they hiked the Long Trail, skied the Tetons and took roadtrips across the country. The memories, the stories and the love will be shared with generations to come.

Alan was born in Athens, OH on December 10, 1958 and grew up in the Cleveland area. He graduated Class of 1977 from Lakewood High School and Class of 1981 from the University of Vermont, majoring in Economics and also studying Studio Art. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He received an M.B.A. from Cornell University in 1986 with a concentration in Finance and was an alumni officer for his class. His career was in real estate investments, working for MetLife, Abbey Road Advisors and his own company, Barrack Hill Capital. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Vigsnes, in Bennington, VT where he worked as a line supervisor at Union Carbide Corp. They celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary this past August. They lived in Ithaca, NY, Washington, DC, Kansas City, Ridgefield, CT and Shelburne, VT. In Ridgefield, Alan was a member of First Congregational Church, Westport Rotary, Wolfpit Running Club, Cedar Point Yacht Club and a youth coach/director for Soccer Club of Ridgefield. In Shelburne, he was a member of Charlotte Congregational Church, Rotary Club of Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg, UVM Cancer Center Advisory Board, mentor at Charlotte Central School and on the Board of Trustees at Mad River Glen Ski Area. Before his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2013, Alan gave blood on a regular basis, donating more than 16 gallons of universal-type O negative. He was proud of the three humanitarian mission trips he had taken with family members to Honduras and Nicaragua. Alan was a volunteer for the Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels. He had run 14 marathons. Remembering Alan are his daughters, Natalie (Drew) of Jackson, WY, Lydia of Atlanta, GA and Audrey of Shelburne, VT. He leaves his mother, Martha Bates of Bonita Springs, FL, siblings Marilyn Blackmon (Glenn), Bruce (Haely) and David (MaryEllen) as well as 4 nieces and 4 nephews on that side of his family. His father, Art, passed away in 2008. Locally, he leaves his in-laws, Barbara and Birger Vigsnes, his sister-in-law Susan Vigsnes, her husband Briar Alpert and their daughters Sage and Carly. He also leaves his brother-in-law Erik Vigsnes (Kristen) of Ipswich, MA and their son Ryder, who is Alan's godson. Alan has many very good friends, near and far. Living with cancer is living with uncertainty; but Alan did not let this dictate his life. He strove to be positive, loving and grateful everyday. Please consider a memorial contribution in Alan's name to The University of Vermont Cancer Center, The Courtyard at Given, 4th Floor North, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT 05405 www.med.uvm.edu/uvmcancercenter/give-to-the-uvm-cancer-center

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Wednesday, October 10th, 11am at Charlotte Congregational Church, 403 Church Hill Rd., Charlotte, VT, with a Celebration of Life to follow at UVM Alumni House, 61 Summit Street, Burlington. When you miss Alan, do something he would do – something philanthropic, something adventurous, something with a generous heart.
Published in The Plain Dealer from Oct. 7 to Oct. 8, 2018


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