It is great sadness that we report the passing of long-time HARM member Alan Anderson on May 24, 2016.
Alan Wayne Anderson of Bel Air, MD passed away Tuesday May 24, 2016 at the age of 70.
Alan was born May 27, 1945 in Huntington, NY. He was the son of the late Carl and Elsa Anderson. He attended the Huntington Elementary Schools and graduated from Huntington High School in 1963. He then attended Grove City College in PA majoring in Secondary Education and English. It was there that he met the love of his life- Jayne Gillespie. Upon graduation they were married and moved first to Aberdeen, then Bel Air, to pursue teaching careers. After graduation from Grove City he continued his education earning a masters degree in Education from Towson and a masters degree in Photography from Maryland Institute College of Art.
In his professional life Alan was a teacher of English, Photography and Drama at Aberdeen High School. After 18 years of teaching his passion for photography took him away from teaching and he opened a studio- Anderson-Mayer Photography- in Churchville. Photographing many portraits and 2500 weddings, serving most of the High Schools in Harford and Cecil counties, Alan made wonderful memories for the community.
In his 30's Alan was sure his girls needed a train set to play with at Christmas. Thus became a train empire, completely scratch built that encompasses the entire Anderson basement and the garden outside as well. He helped form HARM- Harford Area Railroad Modelers- a group of like-minded guys who get together weekly to "run" trains. His love of family, however, was paramount. Alan always wanted to be part of everything that was going on. No game or recreation activity was too small. He was also an active member of Bel Air United Methodist Church, serving as head usher for 30 years as well as instrumental in the Pass it on Ministries and food distributions mission.
Alan is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jayne, his beloved daughters Kristen Smith and her husband Andy, and Michelle Adams and her companion Mike Chance, both of Bel Air; his grandchildren Brendan and Corinne Smith and Kayla Adams; a brother Lance from Texas; Sister-in-law Sue Anderson and niece and nephew Maren and Kristopher also of Texas.
