In loving memory of
Alan Best

• Passed away on January 15, 2024

Yvette. My condolences. You both have been such a part of my life. I met you when Alan gave me a shot to cut your lawn. The last time we were together I introduced you to my oldest son Tyler. I pray you will have great times with your children and grandchildren. Love you guys. Shalom!

Alan Best was my best friend in High School, and for several years after. Al had a smile and energy that were positively infectious. So, being around him lifted my spirits (and not just mine). At DuVal we were both in the Choir, and we hung out before and after school. Alan had a car his senior year, of which he was inordinately proud and which he named … Shannon. Mike Wingard was another friend with whom we formed a trio of sorts. Tres amigos vertiginosos.

Alan worked for my dad a few months after high school (as my apprentice) doing HVAC&R, but decided it wasn’t his calling. We both attended PG Community College around that time, but we took different classes, and our schedules overlapped very little. Yvette probably doesn’t remember me, but I remember her from when she and Alan lived in a 1-bedroom apartment in Laurel, Md.

I lost track of Alan shortly before I joined the Navy in 1971. By the time I returned home on leave, he and Yvette had vanished (he had talked about possibly moving to Florida). I should have checked with his folks right then, but never quite got around to it; and, by the time I did, they too had vanished. After the Navy, I went back to work for my dad, met the lass I’d eventually marry, next worked for the University of Maryland (b/c my dad’s health failed and his business with it), and stayed on there until I got my degree in mechanical engineering. On graduating, I got a number of great offers, one of which landed me in California where Judy and I lived six years. We returned to Maryland in 1987, bought our 2nd home, adopted our son, and I landed my current job at Northrop Grumman. Throughout that time, I often thought about Alan, wondered what became of him, and prayed he was okay.

In 1994, I attended my first DuVal High School reunion (25th) hoping he’d turn up or someone there might give me a clue to his whereabouts. Everyone I asked was as mystified as I regarding his disappearance, even Mike who I assumed would, at least, know something. The Internet was just coming into its own about then, so I conducted a global search including variations on his and Yvette’s names, possible locations (Florida, NC), his dad’s name (couldn’t remember his mom’s or siblings’), car and choral interests, etc. Several times I thought I’d found him, only to be disappointed. By this point, I realized, my search for Alan had become something of an obsession, so I put it on indefinite hold. Even so, I never quite let go of the idea that, someday, we three would join forces again.

Wherever you are now, buddy, I miss you … and your smile.

I cherish the years I had with him. He taught me so much. I'll always remember our walks at Big Tree talking about philosophy, poetry, and life. I'm sad my daughters will not grow up to know him the way I did. I'll see you again one day, Dad. You will never be forgotten.

To Allen's wife, son and daughter and extended family. You were in my prayers during this most difficult time.. I remember Alan very well from high school. He was always a friend and always willing to help out when you needed it. He is going to be missed by many. May he rest in peace.

My prayers are with Alan's family, I remember Alan from school and fb

Alan was a very good friend when we moved to Lanham. I lived on Fowler Ln and he lived one street behind us on Rolling View Drive. We were buddies all the way through high school and then lost touch. My nickname back then was Jo and I also used my first & middle name never just Anna. I have very fond memories of those years. My thoughts are with his family.