Alan Price Obituary

Price, Alan L. Age 84, died peacefully on July 13 at Skokie Hospital, with Alice, his beloved wife of 54 years, and his nephew Richard by his side. Alan was born August 7, 1933, at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago, IL, to Ruth and Philip Price. As a lifelong resident of Rogers Park, Alan attended Eugene Field Elementary and Sullivan High School. In 1953, Alan was drafted into the Army, serving in Seoul during the Korean War as a typist for General Maxwell Taylor. Later, in Busan, Korea, Alan initiated a classical music program for the troops as a Radio Broadcast Specialist. Returning home, Alan earned his Bachelors degree in Psychology at The University of Chicago in 1959. He began his professional career the following year at Jewish Children's Bureau. In 1964, he married Alice Hayes, an English teacher at Hirsch High School who later had a 27-year career at Sullivan High School. At this time, Alan was hired by the Jewish Vocational Service, while simultaneously earning his Master of Arts in Psychology at Roosevelt University in 1969. In order to accompany Alice, who was pursuing an advanced degree at The University of Illinois in Urbana, Alan quit his job and worked as a counselor for the State of Illinois in Urbana. Upon returning to Chicago in 1970, he continued his career with the State of Illinois, becoming the Chief of Staff at Reed Mental Health Center, Cottage 23. When Reed Hospital closed in 1983, Alan worked at Lawrence Hall Therapeutic Day School as a counselor. In 1990, Alan returned to the state of Illinois at DCFS working as a Child Welfare Senior Specialist. Throughout his professional life, Alan's focus was to help disturbed children and adults with his innate insight and calm demeanor. Alan was loving, strong, clear-headed, calm, and very witty. He loved classical music, cooking, gardening, and the Cubs. Alan is survived by his wife Alice; sister-in-law Sora Price; nephew Richard Price; niece Julie Price Coleman and her three adult children: Emily Reich, her husband Rob, and their son Jonas; Jessie Hochhalter; Bailey Hochhalter and his wife Serena. Alan's modern-day cousins' club includes Janet Price and her wife Linda Rzesniowiecki; Lee Price, widow of Brad Price, and their two daughters, Joanna and Irene. Donations may be made to the DCFS Children's Benefit Fund (illinois.gov/dcfs, 406 E. Monroe St., #412; Springfield, IL 62701,) or to WFMT or WTTW. A memorial service for Alan will be held Sunday, August 19, 2018, at 1:00 pm in the chapel of Westlawn Cemetery and Mausoleum, 7801 W. Montrose Avenue; Norridge, IL 60706. Arrangements entrusted to Lakeshore Jewish Funerals, 773-625-8621.