Alan Clair Early

Ft. Collins - Alan Clair Early, 79, passed away March 18, 2021 at Garden Terrace Aurora, Colorado.

Alan was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on March 16, 1942 to Robert and Ruth Early. As a part of 4H, he raised dairy cows and Christmas trees, and earned many blue ribbons. He graduated from Plainwell High School as salutatorian in 1959 and from Michigan State University in the Honors College with majors in Agricultural Science and Soil Science in 1963. Immediately after graduation, he joined the Peace Corps where he served two years in the Punjab of Pakistan working with refugees from India.

In 1970, Alan earned a Master of Science degree in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering -Aerial Photographic Studies- Economics from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. In 1975, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy, also from Cornell University, in Soil and Water Management of the Tropics- Water Resources Planning and Management- Aerial Photographic Studies.

In 1974, Alan took a position at Colorado State University in the Agricultural Engineering Department where he joined the Water Management Field Research Program in Lahore, Pakistan. From 1977 to 1983, he served as a faculty member in irrigation management at the International Rice Research Institute headquartered in Los Baňos, Laguna, Republic of the Philippines. He also worked as an independent consultant in irrigation management in many Southeast Asian countries from 1983 to 1985. Then, from 1985 to 1993, Alan served as an associate professor in Colorado State University's International Irrigation Management program. He collaborated with other faculty members from many disciplines to develop courses in irrigation management for government professionals from Asia, Africa and South America. In 1993, Alan took a job in Indonesia with GAIA International Management and thus began his love of all things Indonesian. He continued his career in irrigation management, but became very aware of the vulnerability from earthquakes for the millions of people living along the Pacific Ring of Fire. From 1994 to 2001, he consulted with Louis Berger in Indonesia, continuing to implement participatory irrigated farming systems research and extension projects for national development. Returning to the United States, he continued his professional education by earning a master's degree in Construction Management at CSU. In this program, Al designed, built and tested a house that withstood earthquake conditions of 9.0 on the Richter scale. This design was given to the Indonesian government to develop for its people. He remained in Indonesia until health conditions required his return to the US.

Al loved his family and was a very proud father. He was so happy when each achieved another milestone. His faith was also very strong but private. He did not recognize color or wealth, but worked extremely hard to help all those around him, whether it was someone needing food, getting help for grants or scholarships, or establishing a school. Many people earned Masters and PhDs under his mentorship. He was very quiet about all his achievements.

Al loved baseball, beginning with a baseball field that he set up on former apple orchard adjacent to his childhood home. In later years, he started a Little League in the Philippines and put his own two kids on teams. A batting cage took up the entire back yard at one point. When stateside, he loved the Rockies, and was very happy to be pushed in a wheelchair to a game by his son.

Alan is survived by his children, Michele Angello (Anthony) of Aurora, and Michael Early of Ft. Collins, CO, and former wives, Carolyn Early of Red Feather Lakes, CO and Marietta of Bogor, Indonesia.

A Christian Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Morning Star Community Church, 23628 Red Feather Lakes Road, Red Feather Lakes, CO. Interment will follow in the Morning Star Community Church Memorial Garden. A picnic, one of Al's favorite things to do, and an Early family tradition, will be held after the services. Please RSVP for the picnic with Carolyn at 970-217-2012.