Allen Feldman Obituary

Standing, awed, in the Wild Reef exhbit at Shedd last night, I felt Allen's spirit. I could hear him: in meetings being the voice to say the unsayable; in the lab, laughing at one more piece of bad news that day; in the hall, encouraging a young aquarist; over dinner, reassuring a friend that she was doing the right thing....



I had the honor of working for a short six months with Allen at Shedd, but we tried to stay in contact over the years. Allen, among dear Shedd colleagues, had a tremendous affect on me. He helped me to be honest about injustices in the world, to speak out when others would remain silent. He taught me about personal integrity and having courage to "do the right thing." He also was sweet and tender-hearted. My son and I will never forget how he helped nurse back to health my son's favorite pet: a fan-tail goldfish. It seemed no creature--animal or human--was "below" his attention and thoughtful care.





Every time I am in Shedd I will see his legacy. I will never forget him.



Blessings to the Feldman Family. You've been in our personal prayers each day.

Along with several other Shedd Aquarium employees, I learned of Allen's death in a place he knew well and, I think, loved -- Shedd's research vessel, the R/V Coral Reef II, anchored in the Bahamas. We were there on a real Al kind of trip, doing field research on the threatened Andros iguana. It was a good place to summon memories of a long-time friend. And intuitively we agreed on a tribute as unique as the man himself. Each of the wiry, scrappy, beautiful lizards that we weighed, measured, PIT-tagged and attached radio transmitters to for future population studies also got a name. Somewhere on Sandy Cay, scrambling over ironshore and under palms and Bahamas pines is an Andros iguana, Cyclura cychlura cychlura, named Allen.



Allen left an indelible mark on all who knew him. I will miss him deeply, as will his many other friends at Shedd.

To the Feldman Family



As you pass through this world, you are lucky to know a few people who make your life a little richer, fuller and somehow more complete. Someone who makes you think, laugh, wonder, question. Who paints life with a pallet of colors a shade different that you own.



Allen was one of those people. I was lucky enough to spend 3 phases of life with him, college, adulthood and “en passant”.



In college I new a person of endless energy, boundless intellect and bold courage. A friend without reservation, a partner in crime, and a keeper of the secret. And finally, a witness to my marriage.



As an adult, playing football in winter, baseball in summer, smelt fishing in the spring, bridge, birding at all hours of the day and night and later in life an occasional interlude, a check on milestones along the away, a periodic meeting between the soccer games, the trips to who knows where. And always Allen was there, a special friend to spend fleeting minutes away from the responsibilities of life.



And finally, as Allen slipped away, to say a fond farewell - until we meet again. We surveyed the journey, with pride, amazement, satisfaction, and contentment. A full life, too short, but if he lived for 1000 years, I am sure he would want another 1000, and another when that was done.



Allen lived a good life. His gift to all of us was to know him. He is still alive in his family, his nieces and nephews, friends, and in his science.



Until we meet again,

My deepest sympathies,



George Lamm

To the Feldman Family and friends, our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you.

My condolences to the Feldman family. I only knew Allen for a couple of years as my neighbor. He was the first to welcome me to my new apartment and fill me in on all the tenants. He had a wonderful back porch garden that made our building feel like home and noone could compete with it. He was also generous to take care of my cat when I would be out of town. I couldn't have asked for a better, kinder neighbor and I am grateful to have known Allen. I will miss him.

I met Al back in 1984 when I had first moved to Chicago. We played on the same USDA softball team and enjoyed many a post-game pizza and beer at Papa Charlie's. I enjoyed his rips at my simple Ohio origins; they kept me from becoming a bigheaded Kellogg MBA.



Since leaving Chicago in 1987, Al and I always kept in touch. I remember visiting him in Philadelphia just before he was diagnosed with the disease that would long afterwards fell him.



I can honestly say he was my favorite person (a.k.a. my best friend) in the States. We probably spent too much time talking about the Cubs and Indians (our resective teams) but, after all, we did enjoy baseball. I was very happy when he visited me and my girlfriend in Miami and happier still to stay at his place in Chicago repeatedly. After all, to me Chicago will always equal Al Feldman, not Ditka or Jordan. Cause Al was nothing is not a real person. And an encyclopedia of knowledge!



If there is a heaven, I assume he's up there with Steve Goodman rooting on the Cubs. Or watching the birds and fish down on Earth with a massive telescope. Or maybe even using that charisma of his that sneaks up on you on the heavenly ladies.



I miss you already, buddy, but I understand. I saw you battle the pain so many times when a less valient man would have caved in. I can't tell you how frustrating it was to see you suffer and not be able to help in the slightest.



Thanks for having given the world half a century of great kindness.



Willy, the shortshop.

My Deepest Sympathy to the Feldman Family. I realize that you are faced with a turbulent time in your lives right now and I sincerely hope that with time, the winds of this adversity pass on to peace and greater blessings.

To The Feldman Family,



I am truly sorry for your loss. May you find comfort knowing how many people do care. My prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow.



Sincerely,

Marcy Guerrero

To the Feldman family, my heartfelt sympathy at this sad time. Allen was a great friend to me and so many others. He always had time for a joke or a chat, no matter how busy he was, and a genuine interest in people. I will miss him and remember him fondly.



ANAM CARA (soul friend)



On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulders and you stumble, may the clay dance to balance you.



And when your eyes freeze behind the gray window and the ghost of loss gets in to you, may a flock of colors, indigo, red, green and azure blue come to awaken in you a meadow of delight.



When the canvas frays in the curach of thought and a stain of ocean blackens beneath you, may there come accross the waters a path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home.



And so may a slow wind work these words of love around you, an invisible cloak to mind your life.

To The Entire Feldman Family:



Our thoughts and prayers are with each one of you. Allen (Preacher) was a very special person. He touched each of us in his unique way. Our memories of him will last forever. He will be missed dearly. God bless him.

Love,

Flo, Allan, John & Jeffrey Wawczak

5/13/03



Dear Mr. and Mrs. Feldman,

I was saddened by the news of Al’s death and feel very bad that I cannot attend the Memorial Service today, although I will be there in spirit. My thoughts will be with your family today. Unfortunately my office hours for today were booked since last week and I am scheduled from 12-8:00pm, which is about 30 patients (a lot of them elderly), and I wasn’t able to reschedule them. I’m sure Al would understand.

Al has always been a person we talked about and remembered whenever our group from Northern got together. I always remember those times with Al working with the chickens at Dr. Briles farm, and living on Twelfth Street in Dekalb with Al as my roommate.

The last time I saw Al was at the Shedd. He took my family on a personal tour of the place, showing us all the behind the scenes “really cool” stuff, as my kids would say. We showed up unannounced and he dropped everything to show us around. It was just like Al to do that, and after so many years since college, to take the time for someone else.

Although thirty years has gone by, I know that your son was still the same good hearted, funny and caring person that I knew in college. I will be making a donation to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless in Al’s name, and remembering how he let me move in with him when I had no place to stay.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.



John Herbick



P.S. Thanks for all the Ekrich lunchmeat that I ate when we were in Dekalb. My cholesterol is still high.

Our deepest condolences to the Feldman family. I have many fond memories of Al during my 8 years at the USDA, and the 20 years playing softball with the USDA team. The many times we shared a beer to discuss politics, travel, sports, the Shedd, broken romances, and many other topics will be remembered fondly. Al was a very caring, intelligent and well-loved person.



You will be missed tremendously...rest in peace my friend.



Love,



Ricardo, Barb, and Abbey

My deepest sympathy to the Feldman family on the loss of a great guy. I didn't have much contact with Allen over the years but he will be truly missed. I will always have fond memories of him from our younger days. My prayers and thoughts will be with you during this sad time.

Our deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of Allen Feldman. His Spirit, warmth and compassion has brightened our lives and inspires us to continue with wonderful reveries.

I knew Allen during his years at Northern Illinois University. I last saw Allen at a reunion of some college friends a few years back. We spoke at length that night. Nothing had changed, Allen was still the teriffic person that I knew in our days back in Dekalb.

May god bless Allen and his Family.

I only had the pleasure of Allens company for two years when I worked at Shedd Aquarium, but his courage and ability to lead life to the full made a lasting impression on me. Allen was a great friend to me and he will not be forgotten. My sincere condolences to his family.

Dearest Al and Jeanette,



All the Bowers have wonderful memories of you both and your great family. Our heartfelt condolences are sent to you all during this very sad time. What a great loss, not only to your family group, but to the world of nature as well. Its wonderful Allen lived a life he loved and enjoyed so thoroughly. Peace and love to you all, Valerie

Allen was a very special person. We have fond memories of him and we will always hold a special place for him in our hearts. The Sloan's.

Our deepest condolences to the Feldman family. Al was a wonderful person who enjoyed his work and sharing it with others. One fond memory of Al is him taking time from his busy Saturday schedule at the Shedd and giving us a behind the scene private tour for myself and my family. He was a great talkative individual who loved to share his stories about his adventures throughout the world. Al, you will be truelly missed....

To the family of my good friend Mr. Allen C. Feldman, My deepest condolences, and to try add a little smile to all of you at this time... Al told me once upon a time, long ago when we worked on a internal news letter at the Shedd Aquarium... "Be True to Yourself, Never Let Anyone Put You or Your Ideas Down". Rest in Peace, God Bless.

To the family of my good friend and former co-worker Mr. Allen C. Feldman, I will miss his infectious laughter, kind words, and knowing that above all else... Once you become a friend to Al, he'll always be your friend! "No matter what else you may do!" :-) Rest in Peace, God Bless.

I first met Allen on a North Park Village Nature Center bird walk in the early 1980's. He later joined Chicago Audubon and helped in so many ways. We ended up going birding, canoeing, and playing raquetball together. He was great at telling stories and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was always helpful and friendly. It was a shame he had to suffer so much over the years. Allen WILL be missed by many. I feel priviledged to have shared time with him.

In this fast pace of life where the value of time is not prized, events like this bring time to a screeching halt. My condolences to the Feldman Family for this sad occasion. Love and cherished memories from Ed the first (Puerto Rican) Kid on the block.