Dr. Alan Gray Slemon

Died at his home on Sunday, August 21, 2022, in his 95th year.  Alan was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on May 9, 1928.  He married Wyn (Winnifred) Ritthaler in Kelliher, Saskatchewan, in 1953.  Alan received his B.A. from the University of Manitoba, his Masters degree at Western University in London, and his PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto in 1962.  Alan practiced as a registered psychologist before accepting a position at the Faculty of Education, Western University, as an Educational Psychology professor.  He also taught Statistics and Research Design for the Master of Education Counselling program.  He served twice as Acting Dean when asked.  He appreciated these administrative experiences because they helped him to better understand the overall focus of the college.  Alan retired as a full professor in June 1993.  You could see him at the Western football games rooting for the Mustangs during the fall.

Alan was a member of the United Church of Canada and attended Riverside United Church in London.  He served in the choir, Sunday School, Church Council, and the Worship, Christian Education, and Outreach and Social Action committees.  Alan loved music and performed in several Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.  Alan also loved woodwork:  he largely redesigned and rebuilt his 100-year-old cottage in Manitoba, the Allyne Grae, over 70 years of annual projects during family vacations out West.  He also built a Bluejay sailboat, christened the CoralCat after his two daughters, and enjoyed sailing with the family at Fanshawe Lake in London and further afield on Lake Winnipeg by his family cottage.

Above all, Alan loved his family.  Every get-together was a celebration (something he learned from his Mom and Dad) and accompanied by enough goodies to satisfy even his sweet tooth.  Alan is survived by and will be dearly missed by his wife, Wyn, his elder daughter and son-in-law, Susan Slemon and David Perry, and by his younger daughter, Dr. Jill Slemon.

A funeral service will be conducted at Riverside United Church, 695 Riverside Drive, London, on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. A livestream will be available for those wishing to view the service virtually. Memorial donations in memory of Alan may be made to a charity of your choice.

To view the livestream, please click here: View Alan’s livestreamed service on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.