Alan F. Wilt (1937-2005)

I am greatly saddened to announce the death of Alan F. Wilt. On Saturday, May 7th, Alan lost a very short battle with Interstitial Lung Disease.

I had the great pleasure of knowing Alan since 1990, when I began dating his daughter in college. His love and support for his family, as well as his dedication to making a difference in the world impacted thousands of lives in a positive and meaningful manner. If a man's success can possibly be measured by how many ways he made the world a better place, it would be difficult to find someone more successful.

Alan was a Professor Emeritus of History at Iowa State University. His professional career was focused on military and German history, in particular those events surrounding World War II. He was the foremost expert on the chiefs of staff in the U.S. & Britain during World War II.

In addition to teaching, he wrote several books including The Atlantic Wall, War From The Top, Nazi Germany, The French Riviera Campaign, and Food For War. Recently he had been spending time working on what he frequently said would be his most important book; it was left unfinished.

On a personal note, Alan was a friendly, gregarious, intelligent but exceedingly humble man. Anyone who had the pleasure of spending time with him wanted to spend more. And, as his son-in-law, I always felt the same way. Looking back over the past 15 years, I can't remember a single time we didn't get along or a time I didn't tremendously enjoy being around him.

In the end, Alan was one of my favorite people in this world and I can't possibly imagine not having him with us in the future. It was always so comforting to know that he would be a part of my life and I truly wish I had at least another 15 or more years to spend, learn, and be with a man who I so respected, admired, and loved with all of my heart.

(Please note: Alan's funeral has been set for Friday, May 13th and I will be taking one week off to spend with family and friends. I will return on Monday, May 16th. For more information on Alan, please read his obituary in the Des Moines Register.)