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Alan Barker Lord '58

Feb. 27, 1935-Feb. 18, 2022

Alan Barker Lord ’58 died at his home in La Jolla, Calif., on Feb. 18, 2022. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, on Feb. 27, 1935, he moved to the U.S. in 1940, when his family relocated to Yonkers, N.Y. He came to Hamilton from the Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y., and also spent a year at King’s Bruton in Somerset, England. He spent summers in New Hampshire and returned there as often as possible during the rest of his life. 

At Hamilton, Alan majored in both English and French and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He joined the Freshman Council, the French Club, and the Spanish Club, where he was elected vice president as a sophomore. He performed with the Charlatans during his first three years and was active in the College Choir, serving as assistant publicity manager during his second year, publicity manager as a junior, and manager while a senior. He also was a member of Nous Onze in his final year.

Following graduation, Alan entered the U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School at Newport, R.I., and was commissioned an ensign. After training in Pensacola, Fla., at the Navy’s Air-Ground Officer School, he was assigned as an air intelligence officer to the U.S.S. Hancock in the Pacific Fleet. He was later transferred to the staff of the commander of the Naval Air Force for the Pacific Fleet, based near San Diego. 

During that assignment he met his future wife, Dorothy Fairles, an alumna of Michigan State University who also was a teacher. They were married in East Lansing, Mich., on Aug. 5, 1961, and had three daughters. 

Completing active duty as a lieutenant junior grade, Alan both joined the Naval Reserve and began his career as a banker at the First National Bank of San Diego in 1962. He later became manager of its La Jolla Shores branch. In 1980, he and two associates founded the Bank of San Diego; over time, he was its executive vice president, director, and secretary. His peers recognized the quality of his work by electing him president of the California chapter of the American Institute of Banking.

In 1989, while remaining a director of the bank, he and Dorothy acquired a small company that imported high-end bronze garden containers and statuary from Bangkok. They traveled to garden and gift shows to market their products, trips that provided an excuse to visit family and friends throughout the country. They sold the company in 2006.

During his career, Alan served the La Jolla community as well. He was president of the La Jolla town council, an elder and trustee of the La Jolla Presbyterian Church, a member of the Rotary, vice chairman of the La Jolla YMCA, and a precinct captain for the Republican party, among other activities.

Alan was loyal to Hamilton: he was one of the early organizers of his local Rancho Santa Fe chapter of the Alumni Association and a regular donor to the Hamilton Fund. He assisted with the Priorities for Hamilton capital campaign and his class’s reunion gift committee. 

His fondest memories of the College included friendships made with his fraternity brothers, choir with John Baldwin, visits to Wells and Skidmore, and the small college atmosphere in general. He found especially invaluable his public speaking courses and the Honor Code.

Alan B. Lord is survived by his wife and three daughters, and his brother, Philip A. Lord ’59.

Necrology Home

Note: Memorial biographies published prior to 2004 will not appear on this list.



Necrology Writer and Contact:
Christopher Wilkinson '68
Email: Chris.Wilkinson@mail.wvu.edu

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