Alan Roy Huggins passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on Saturday, August 13, 2016. Since 2012, Alan suffered from rapid cognitive losses due to Alzheimer's disease.

Born to Joseph and Ruth Huggins, in Torrance, California, Alan was the youngest of three children. As a teen, Alan was a southern California athlete, often surfing before high school classes and playing on beach volleyball and basketball teams. Alan honored his marriage with Susan Peters, as they pursued college and graduate school together, eventually divorcing. Alan received his PhD in Microbiology and Food Sciences from Oregon State University in Corvallis in 1978, and began working as a scientist for Miles Laboratories in Elkhart, Indiana, and Madison, Wisconsin. In 1985, he moved to Chicago, Illinois to work for the United Dairy Council managing food science research at American universities. Alan met Amy Truitt there, and married a year later on September 26, 1987.

In 1991, in preparation for the birth of their only child, Leigh Caroline, Alan played Mozart by placing headphones on Amy's pregnant belly.

In 1993, Alan moved his family to Vashon to become a management trainer with SportsMind, and to return to nature in the Northwest. He loved teaching Leigh which berries to pick, and how to recognize bird songs in order to locate and see them. Alan retired early and completed the Master Composter and Recycler, and Native Plant programs between 1995–1997. He helped many island businesses "go green". He was a presenter at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show for four years. Alan's design of their Vashon home garden inspired Vashon Allied Arts to select this garden for Spring Garden Tour weekends.

Alan was a Master Birder, teaching his "Enjoyment of Birds" classes for Seattle and Vashon Audubon. He also wrote a Nature column for the Beachcomber for seven years. He is remembered fondly by one student, who shared about Alan teaching the spotted towhee shuffle, a quick back and forth dance.

Alan had a quick wit, loved music, gardening and hiking Vashon's nature trails. His favorite activities were riding his electric bike and birding.

Alan is survived by his wife Amy, daughter Leigh, brother Larry, and sister Barbara.

There will be a memorial gathering at Camp Burton Lodge on Sunday, October 9 in the afternoon. If you would like to celebrate Alan, please send a donation in his name to www.VashonAudubon.org and/or www.VashonLandTrust.org.