Obituary of Alan Svejda

Alan James Svejda , 78, of Richardson, TX passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Faith Presbyterian Hospice, Dallas, from metastatic melanoma. Funeral services will be held later this summer in Iowa, and burial will follow at Calhoun Cemetery in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Alan was born on July 12, 1943 in Council Bluffs, IA to Frank and Marie (Cimicky) Svejda. He attended Woodbine High School in Woodbine, IA, graduating in 1961. He then attended Iowa State University in Ames, IA where he received a two-year degree from the Electronics Technology Program. After graduating from ISU Alan moved to Chicago and was employed with 3M Revere Wallensak from 1963-1964, and then with Swift & Company R&D Lab from 1964-1967. In 1967 Alan moved to Brampton, Ontario Canada where he was employed with Northern Electric through 1984 (later called Northern Telecom and then Nortel Networks). Alan continued working at Nortel from 1984 - 2001 in Richardson, Texas. Over his 34 year career at Nortel Alan worked in both product support and in product technical support. Alan retired in 2001 and continued living in the Richardson, TX area. Alan’s first love in life was Jesus Christ, and Alan led multiple family members and friends to faith in Jesus Christ. Alan’s second love was his family and friends. We will always remember Alan’s love for laughter, his great sense of humor and his generosity with both his time and treasure. Alan had a brilliant and inquisitive mind, was fiercely independent, and lived life on his own terms. He had a wide range of interests including his faith, anything computer and science-related, new technology, astronomy, weather, photography, vintage cars, trucks, and tractors, NASCAR, NFL Football, opera, classical music, and politics. He was a stickler for the correct use of the English language, and especially correct grammar and punctuation. Alan was very regimented and kept a tight schedule even after retirement, which allowed him time to explore all of his interests. Alan is survived by nine nieces and nephews: Paul Svejda, Orlando, FL; Fred (Tatyana) Svejda, Brandon, FL; Terry Svejda, Elkhorn, NE; Mark (Eva) Svejda, Scottsdale, AZ; Frank (Renee) Svejda, Eagle, ID; Sharon (Jay) Stout, Fort Collins, CO; John (Jeanne) Svejda, Chesterton, IN; Frank (Marjorie) Svejda, College Station, TX; Katrina Svejda, Murphysboro, IL; and many great-nieces and nephews. Alan is preceded in death by his father, Frank Svejda, Sr.; his mother, Marie (Cimicky) Svejda: his brother, John Svejda; a second brother, Frank Svejda, Jr; and a sister-in-law, MaryAnn (Hunter) Svejda. Memorial donations may be made to Unconditional Love Fellowship, Malcolm Smith, Bandera, TX. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the physicians and medical staff at Richardson Methodist Hospital and Faith Presbyterian Hospice who cared for Alan during his illness, who expressed their concern through their words and actions, and who provided realistic expectations through Alan’s illness. We also extend our gratitude to Alan’s close friends who have shared stories of adventure, endearment, humor and insight into a life well-lived.