Alan James Stoffer
October 14, 2011
Alan James Stoffer, 44, passed away on October 14, 2011 at home. A memorial service will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. A private family burial will take place at Jordan Creek Cemetery.
Alan was born on November 21, 1966 in Ames, Iowa. He graduated from Valley High School in 1985 and Iowa State University in 1991. In 1999, he married Kirstin Shook and together they had one son, Jacob. Alan worked in the marketing and technology area setting up computer programs for various companies. He worked for the RMI Company and, most recently, at his own company, Marketing Technology Group. Alan enjoyed spending time with his son Jacob, disc golfing, spending time outdoors and riding his motorcycle.
He will be greatly missed by his mother, Linda (Bob Grundy) Stedman of Oregon; his son, Jacob Stoffer; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Alan was preceded in death by his father, Terry, and his grandparents.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Pash, Molly and Paris
10/24/2011
This past week, we all learned of Al's passing.
We were shocked and saddened. This event made me look back at my time with Al.
We worked together in a technology marketing firm. We were close for a number of years. Even after we parted ways to different firms, we stayed in touch through our shared love of both technology and marketing. What I recall most about Al, was his ability to take complex technologies, merge them together, and create systems and workflows that were easy - and worked! I always told him, he would have been wonderful at Apple. It was at this firm that we designed a marketing system and ended up patenting it - and it would not have been possible if we did not have a pacesetter and technology bon vivant like Al at the firm. During that same time we designed an in-house product that housed all the intellectual property of the agency - a sort of Hal like environment that helped our team keep track of our process and people knowledge. Al was a driving factor in our agency technology that made these systems actually work they way they were intended. Any agency would have been glad to have Al. But we did.
I recall him sitting on my back deck. We talked for hours about how we were going to change the marketing world with technology. I can honestly say we (HE) had an impact. We developed some amazing technology systems together. And Al could talk on any topic. Really. But he really loved to talk tech. I recall a meeting where we all arrived to the conference room a few minutes early. We began chatting, and after a few minutes MY VOICE came from his pocket! I was shocked ! Al pulled out a recording pen out of his pants pocket, and said he was testing a new way to document meetings! Always a tech guy, always a gadget guy - he had the newest products, and always was ahead of the curve.
Al supported me, partied with me, taught me, sometimes even "schooled" me.
He is missed by co-workers across many companies, and our families and by me.
Pash, Molly, Paris
Stephanie Wessman Lemmon
10/23/2011
I dont even know where to start. Sad is such an understatement. So many of my memories of those first years out of college include Al and its hard to believe that hes gone. I know Al is a big part of Mikes Lambda Chi memories, too.
Kirstin, Im glad you will be there for Jacob and Im sure he has all of Als best qualities.
All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen and Mark Stadie
10/22/2011
Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers for all of Al's family and friends today and for all tomorrows. Wish we could be there today. We are so sorry for this loss.
God saw Al getting tired, so He put His arms around Al and whispered "come to me." A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
Jacob,
We are so very sorry to hear of your father's passing. We remember him as a smart and kind man. We know that you have those qualities too and must have gotten them from him.
Kirstin,
So sorry for this loss. They say only the good die young. Remembering the goodness will kept you all safe and warm memories will sustain you. We know that Al is looking down upon all of us and singing and dancing to Sonia DaDa right now and basking in the sunshine.
Take comfort in knowing that we will all sing and dance together again.
Love and hugs,
Karen and Mark Stadie
Russ and Peggy Kurth
10/21/2011
Linda
I got the message that your son died suddenly. We send our sincere sympathy. You are experiencing something that non of of want to the death of a child. You are in our prayers. Try to remember the good times you had with Alan and try to spend as much time as you can with your grandson. We have 5 grand kids that all live in our area and we enjoy ever minute that we get to share with them.
Russ and Peggy Kurth
Nancy & Ken Bevins
10/21/2011
Alan, we miss you. You are important to us and we cherish the memories of our visits.
Linda as always, our sorrow for your loss is inmeasurable. Alan did so many fine things....I remember how supportive of you he was when you lost John. He stood and thanked all at the memorial.
I will miss seeing him and Jacob together. I hold to the memories of them together at Rita's wedding and the joy and pride that filled Alan's face when he was with his son.
Peace in the trials, Nancy and Kenny
Michelle Martens-Solberg
10/21/2011
Kirstin, my heart goes out to you and your son, Jacob, during this time. What a marvelous soul that was taken too young. May it give you peace to know that others share in your loss.
Michelle Martens-Solberg
Becky White
10/21/2011
Kirstin, thinking of both you and Jacob and praying God will bring peace and healing to your hearts. May the happy memories that Jacob has with his daddy forever live in his heart. God bless you!
Louie Laurent
10/20/2011
Jacob,
You are might be too young for this, but maybe your mom will save it for you.
The last time I spoke with your father he told me how much he loved you and how proud he was of you. I was a friend of his father Terry which made me a friend of your father Al. This time of your life is hard to understand, but as you grow older you'll remember your father in many ways that will bring you strength, solace and a smile because while he's gone from this life, he's not gone from yours.
Keep your head up and stay ahead of it.
Louie Laurent
Collette Spain-Labinski
10/20/2011
My sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Alan's family. I grew up with
Alan in Ashawa Estates, WDM. He was truly a unique individual. Riding the school bus to Junior High must have been the precursor to his Iowa State days.
John Worley
10/20/2011
To: Jacob Stoffer
Jacob I'm a financial advisor @ Morgan Stanley in Des Moines. Your father was a client of mine and would like to first give you my thoughts and prayers. I would also like you to contact me to discuss his account. Please call 515-283-7027
Cara Klein
10/20/2011
My heartfelt condolences go out to Als family and friends. What a tragedy to lose such an amazing person at such a young age. I have so many fond memories of both Al and Terry, having worked with them both over the years. Like father like son, they had such a passion and intensity for life and business as we all know. And they both had a heart of gold which they held close to their chests. I learned so much from them and considered them more friends than colleagues. I know we are all extremely saddened by Als death and will never forget all of his wonderful contributions during his life.
Cara Klein
Jim Hodina
10/20/2011
While I have not seen Al in some time, I will always have great memories from our days together at Lambda Chi Alpha. Al was a roommate and one of the most creative and fun people I knew. My wife, Shawn (who I met in college) and I hung out with Al often and still talk about those times today. His passing is a terrible loss but we will never forget him.
Jim and Shawn Hodina
Cedar Rapids, IA
Kent & Sharon Goldsmith
10/20/2011
Linda and family,
We are so sadded in the loss of Alan...we loved him like our own son.
Nothing can ever prepare us for such heart break. We have many good memories and great joy when we shared the birth of our Grandson Jacob.
Al is at peace and we share in your sorrow.
We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Kent & Sharon
Steve (Lj) Snyders
10/20/2011
My condolences to Al's family and friends. I had the pleasure of living in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity with Al from 1985 - 1989. I will fondly remember Al's passion for the brotherhood of Lambda Chi Alpha, his intensity, and his enthusiasm for the fraternity's annual Gorevile Manor haunted house. Rest easy, Stoff.
In ZAX,
Steve (Lj) Snyders
A.T. 864
Steve DeFord, AT934
10/20/2011
Al made a deep and lasting impression on many young men during his time at Iowa State. There can be no doubt that Al was laid-back with many things. But when it came to the rituals of Lambda Chi Alpha, Al was a perfectionist. As High Phi, Al made sure that dozens of young men got the most out of the fraternitys teachings. Al put everything that he had into his leadership role, and it highlighted his greatest talents.
People move away, and go on with their lives. But the young men that Al influenced, mentored, taught and loved, will never forget his contribution to their lives. Many have gone on to personal and professional leadership roles, and most can attribute at least some part of their success to Al Stoffer. ?a?epa ?a ?a?a my friend, you knew it well.
In ZAX