Alan W. Wall

Alan was born in Chicago, to Mattie (Hunsinger) and Amos Kerkel Wall a month early on Aug. 18, 1942. He grew up on the north side of Chicago with his mother and step-father, Marshall Brown.

Alan attended Lane Technical High School and the University of Illinois at Navy Pier and the Campaign-Urbana campus earning a BA in mechanical engineering, followed by a professional engineering registration.

He worked for several small engineering firms, the State of Illinois Capitol Development Board, and finally formed his own consulting firm, Wall Engineering, designing HVAC systems for many properties in Chicago and its suburbs. Illness forced his retirement in 2013.

Alan married his high school sweetheart, Lois Cooper in June of 1964. They were blessed with two children, Peter Marshall (Allison McCarty), now the father of Caroline, Grace and Lucy; and Amy Kathryn (Mark Heinz) now the mother of Samantha and Cooper James. All the grandkids called him Bapa.

Through-out his life Alan was very interested in cars and the memorabilia surrounding them. He was very active in the Illinois Region Model A Restorers Club, the Northern Illinois Early Ford V8 Club and the Pontiac Oakland Club.

The Walls’ retirement to Kingsford, is because of an antique car tour to Spread Eagle in 1989. They passed a concrete block garage with a for sale sign and a price too good to ignore. Alan called it his “Dream Garage,” Lois called it “The Nightmare,” however, after many trips, much work and many years, Kingsford became their new home.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents, step-parents and siblings: Patricia, Gerald, and Thomas.

A celebration of his life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 395 Hamilton Ave. Kingsford, on Friday, July 1, from 9 to 10 a.m. with Rev. Michael March leading prayers at 10 a.m. There will be a second service in Evanston, Ill., his home for 48 years, at Northminster Presbyterian Church on July 23, 10 a.m.

Condolences to the family of Alan W. Wall may be expressed at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.