1934
Alvin
2016
Alvin Roger Southwick
December 9, 1934 — August 4, 2016
ROCHESTER - Alvin R. "Al" Southwick, age 81, of Rochester, died Thursday Aug. 4, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester - Methodist Campus.
Alvin Roger Southwick was born Dec. 9, 1934 in Springfield, MA to Albert and Bertha (Machler) Southwick. He was raised in Springfield and graduated from Classical High School in 1952 where he was a member of the track team and played in the Band and Orchestra. In 1956 he graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the ROTC. Al served in the U.S. Air Force on active duty from 1957-1960, and the Reserves from 1964-1972. He received his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, and graduated from Air Force Navigator training in Harlington, TX. He was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.
After college Al worked for 8 months at Vertol Aircraft in Morton, PA until he was called to Air Force active training. After active duty he worked for 3 years at General Dynamics Astronautics in San Diego, CA. In 1962 he worked for ITT in Paramis, NJ and transferred to Shreveport, LA in 1963 where he joined the Air Force Reserves and flew C124's. In 1964 he joined the IBM Branch Office in Shreveport and transferred to Dallas, TX in 1975. After coming to work in Rochester on a project, Al transferred to Rochester IBM in 1977, and declared Minnesota as "the best place in the country to live".
In 1961 he married Judy Dearnaley, they were later divorced. In 1996 he married Alice "Art" Larson, she survives. Al was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir. He also sang with the Rochester Symphony Chorale and the Choral Arts Ensemble. He was a member of the Day Makers Kiwanis Club. Al volunteered with Community Food Response, Meals on Wheels, Next Chapter Ministry, and read with the kids at Ben Franklin Elementary School. He was Ski Instructor at Welch Village, a driver for the American Cancer Society, taught bike safety programs at Elementary Schools, refurbished bikes for Christmas Anonymous, and was a co-founder of the Byron Youth Soccer program.
Al enjoyed skiing and taught his children, grandchildren, and Art to ski, as well as thousands of kids in the Welch Ski School program. He loved biking with bike groups and could be seen riding around Rochester on his blue bicycle. He enjoyed bike tours and biked in Ireland, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany. He served on Mission Trips in Kentucky and Tanzania. He also sang and acted in Community Theater Plays.
Survivors include his wife Art, his son Dwayne "Derwood" of Orlando, FL; his daughter Heather (Alan) Fjerstad of Dodge Center, MN; his step-son Eric Larson of Rochester; grandchildren Alec, Anthony, Jullian, and Samantha; step-grandchildren Bronwyn, Brandon, Meghen, and Tyler; great grandchildren; and his sister Marilyn Casey of Redlands, CA. His parents, a son Roger, and infant daughter Jennifer preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Bethel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Norman Wahl officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Bethel Lutheran Church, and one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Lutheran Church, Mayo Foundation, or the American Cancer Society.
810 3rd Ave SE
Rochester, MN
810 3rd Ave SE
Rochester, MN
Alvin Roger Southwick was born Dec. 9, 1934 in Springfield, MA to Albert and Bertha (Machler) Southwick. He was raised in Springfield and graduated from Classical High School in 1952 where he was a member of the track team and played in the Band and Orchestra. In 1956 he graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the ROTC. Al served in the U.S. Air Force on active duty from 1957-1960, and the Reserves from 1964-1972. He received his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, and graduated from Air Force Navigator training in Harlington, TX. He was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.
After college Al worked for 8 months at Vertol Aircraft in Morton, PA until he was called to Air Force active training. After active duty he worked for 3 years at General Dynamics Astronautics in San Diego, CA. In 1962 he worked for ITT in Paramis, NJ and transferred to Shreveport, LA in 1963 where he joined the Air Force Reserves and flew C124's. In 1964 he joined the IBM Branch Office in Shreveport and transferred to Dallas, TX in 1975. After coming to work in Rochester on a project, Al transferred to Rochester IBM in 1977, and declared Minnesota as "the best place in the country to live".
In 1961 he married Judy Dearnaley, they were later divorced. In 1996 he married Alice "Art" Larson, she survives. Al was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir. He also sang with the Rochester Symphony Chorale and the Choral Arts Ensemble. He was a member of the Day Makers Kiwanis Club. Al volunteered with Community Food Response, Meals on Wheels, Next Chapter Ministry, and read with the kids at Ben Franklin Elementary School. He was Ski Instructor at Welch Village, a driver for the American Cancer Society, taught bike safety programs at Elementary Schools, refurbished bikes for Christmas Anonymous, and was a co-founder of the Byron Youth Soccer program.
Al enjoyed skiing and taught his children, grandchildren, and Art to ski, as well as thousands of kids in the Welch Ski School program. He loved biking with bike groups and could be seen riding around Rochester on his blue bicycle. He enjoyed bike tours and biked in Ireland, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany. He served on Mission Trips in Kentucky and Tanzania. He also sang and acted in Community Theater Plays.
Survivors include his wife Art, his son Dwayne "Derwood" of Orlando, FL; his daughter Heather (Alan) Fjerstad of Dodge Center, MN; his step-son Eric Larson of Rochester; grandchildren Alec, Anthony, Jullian, and Samantha; step-grandchildren Bronwyn, Brandon, Meghen, and Tyler; great grandchildren; and his sister Marilyn Casey of Redlands, CA. His parents, a son Roger, and infant daughter Jennifer preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Bethel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Norman Wahl officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Bethel Lutheran Church, and one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Lutheran Church, Mayo Foundation, or the American Cancer Society.
Visitation
AUG 14. 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CDT)
Bethel Lutheran Church810 3rd Ave SE
Rochester, MN
Memorial Service
AUG 15. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CDT)
Bethel Lutheran Church810 3rd Ave SE
Rochester, MN
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