Terry Alston

Terence (Terry) George Alston passed away peacefully from Alzheimer’s Disease, at age 86, on November 28, 2022, while in hospice care at his memory care home, Via Elegante, in Tucson AZ.  His battle with Alzheimer’s lasted 10 years, during which he displayed tremendous courage, humor, and determination.

These same words describe Terry throughout his life and pursuits.  No challenge was too great, no hike too long or steep, no mountain too high, no bicycle ride too long in the saddle.  With characteristic grit and determination, he indulged his love of mountains and physical challenges to experience what most can only dream about:  a 3-week solo backpacking trip in the High Sierras of California, countless hikes in the Grand Canyon, including Rim-to-Rim, a 3-week trek in Nepal to elevations of 19,000 ft around Mt Everest, and at age 74, a glorious 53-day cross-country cycling trip across America.  He even managed to do the latter without getting one single flat tire!  He did all of these physical feats in a very small, thin frame which didn’t look like it could handle them, but he was often the first up the mountain or to reach the finish line.   A fellow rider on the America-by-Bike trip described him perfectly:  “If I had only three words to describe Terry, I’d say dog-toy tough.  He is perhaps the skinniest human being ever built. He looks like a pile of toothpicks loosely joined with bubblegum.  But he’s a hard rider”.   On his trek in the Himalayas, the guide told him he was fit and determined enough to attempt an Everest summit if he ever wanted to.  He was tempted, but did let common sense prevail and let that pass. 

Terry has less physical interests as well.  He was an excellent woodworker and builder of furniture, well-versed in classical music and the choral masterworks, and an avid reader of nonfiction.  He made friends easily and deeply, and retained them throughout his life.   Everyone he met found him endearing, funny, charming, warm, and interested in others.  Here in the US, his English accent remained a magnet for people wanting to talk with him.

Terry was born in London, England, to Bert and Eve Alston, and had one younger brother, Barry (Ruth), all of whom are deceased.   Ruth's wonderful family also remained his UK family, which warmed his heart always.  He had wonderful memories of his childhood in Wembley, in the shadow of Wembley Stadium and the 1948 Olympic Games.  Prior to that, the family endured the 1940-41 London Blitz during WWII, which remained a vivid memory throughout his life  As a young man, he cycled throughtout England and Switzerland.   He excelled in school and received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Queen Mary College of the University of London in 1962.   Shortly afterwards, Terry left England for the United States, landing in Southern California, and never returned to live in rainy and cold England.  He fell in love with the American West, especially the high mountains and open spaces, which influenced his activities and residences the rest of his life. 

His career enabled him to travel throughout Europe, China, and Central America.  While he enjoyed a successful career in the business world, his major sources of fulfillment and joy were his family and his outdoor experiences.  He lived first in Southern California, had a daughter, Erica from a first marriage, and eventually made his way to Maryland, where he met his wife of 32 years, Lois, while sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. 

He and Lois together shared a love of choral and classical music, being in nature in the mountains and on the beaches, sailing, scuba diving, hiking and camping, and traveling to many of the National Parks.  Over time, they expanded their family with special kitties, Dottie, Gracie, Blixa and Loki.  They lived in Annapolis, Maryland, Hopewell Township, NJ, and ultimately Tucson, Arizona, since 2006.  Here, Terry cycled and hiked nearly every day, with great groups of friends, who often couldn’t quite keep up with him, despite his advancing age.  As his health declined, he reluctantly gave up his road bike, but adapted to riding a recumbent trike.  Anything to keep the wheels rollling.  He also began volunteering at the The Hermitage Cat Shelter and became a "kitty cuddler", which gave him great pleasure and purpose.  More than one kitty found him irresistible.

He was enormously proud of his family and loved hearing about their interests and experiences. He adored Lois' mom, his "American Mum", and she, him.   He never missed a choral concert in which Lois sang, and she will always miss seeing him in the front row of every performance.  He was a loving, giving and supportive husband, a proud father and grandfather, and a warm, caring, funny and good friend to many, all of whom will miss him greatly.

Terry is survived by his wife, Lois Manowitz, his daughter, Dr. Erica Muller (Matt) of Dallas, TX, and three grandchildren, Madeline, Caitlin, and Jacob.