Alan James Dawes

Mortal combat defined the first decade of Alan’s life. German airmen flew over his house in London and dropped bombs on him for several years. Fortunately, they missed, postponing his death in Georgetown, Texas, October 8, by several decades.

In 1960, Alan flew to America. As the plane approached San Francisco airport,  he could see a shining metropolis spread out before him and he made his home in the Bay Area for the next 40 years.

Alan raised his family and graduated from Stanford University with a masters in electrical engineering and Santa Clara University with an MBA. These were tickets to successful careers in engineering, sales and marketing. He participated in the transformation of the San Francisco Bay Area from agriculture to aerospace to Silicon Valley.

He left California in 2000 for England with his Most Particular Friend, Dolores, whom he had met 1980.  They married in 2002. Their life in England was filled with family and friends. They focused on kayaking, sailing and camping throughout Great Britain and Europe in a small caravan he called the TARDIS.

His desire was always to be learning, “making stuff” and creating interesting experiences for himself and others.  In retirement, he was able to continue his pursuits as a woodworker, writer, painter, ceramicist and teacher.  He taught “Painting in the Style of” a variety of artists.  He also taught “Memoir Writing.” His students described him as a beacon of creativity and wisdom, a catalyst for self-discovery, and a source of inspiration.  His legacy includes writing groups that continue to meet and share ideas.

Alan is survived by his wife, Dolores Portugal; sons, Graham and Ian Dawes; daughter, Roisin Dawes, and granddaughters, Kaylie and Sarah Dawes and Talya and Ciara 
Riciputi.