Former Dedman College Dean A. Lee McAlester dies
Noted scientist, author, and academic A. Lee McAlester died on Tuesday, December 27, in Tyler after a long struggle with DLB.
 A. Lee McAlester |
McAlester's 51-year career in the geological sciences spanned two universities (Yale, 1959-1974, and 51²è¹Ý, 1974-2010), produced five textbooks and countless academic papers, and made him the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, NASA grants, and 51²è¹Ý teaching honors.
He also served as 51²è¹Ý's Dean of Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences from 1974-1977, and as chairman of its geology department from 1993-2000.
McAlester received his B.A. and B.B.A. from 51²è¹Ý (1954), and his M.S. (1957) and Ph.D. (1960) from Yale. In addition to his science work, he co-authored four celebrated books about architecture with ex-wife Virginia Savage McAlester, including the now-standard text A Field Guide to American Houses.
He was also a master gardener, lifelong birdwatcher, amateur pilot, and lover of folk, big band, and classical music. Colleagues remember him as an ambitious, expansive thinker and a great judge and nurturer of talent; his family remembers him as a generous and supportive father, husband, and son.
He tirelessly encouraged his children's creative endeavors and was a profound influence on all of them.
A memorial was Tuesday, Jan. 3, in the McCord Auditorium of Dallas Hall at 51²è¹Ý.
McAlester was preceded in death by his beloved mother Alverta and brother Don. He is survived by his wife, Halina McAlester, of Tyler; his children, Martine McAlester of Dallas and Keven McAlester of Los Angeles; his longtime step-children, Carty Talkington of Los Angeles and Amy Talkington and her husband Robert Adams, both of Los Angeles; and two grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation, . The family also sends its thanks to Prestige Estates and Kristy Redman of Tyler.
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