Alan Richard Hafer

Alan Richard Hafer, the second eldest of four sons, was born to Donald and Elinor Hafer on June 21, 1943, in Caldwell, ID. They moved to Nebraska in 1947 to run the Hafer family farm where Alan and his brothers worked hard and worried their mother to no end. Growing up on the Nebraska prairie shaped his life — the everyday adventures set in motion his lasting love for all things outdoors. Alan never lost his sense of boyish adventure and avidly pursued his passions for hunting, fishing, skiing, and golfing throughout his life.

During his first marriage he became the proud father to Gregory Scott Hafer and Nancy Sue Hafer. In 1986, Alan married Judy Skupa and together they had Adam Jarred Hafer. Being grandpa to five grandchildren became his greatest blessing: Cora Hafer, Ginger Burwell, Ryan Hafer, Arya Shalom, and Luke Hafer.

Alan earned his bachelor’s from Chadron State College, Master’s from Colorado State University, and Doctorate in Education from the University of Colorado.  He began his teaching career in Meeteetse, Wyoming. The mountains always framed Alan’s life and he made it a priority to grow his career while staying close to the Rockies — finding opportunities to live, work and go to school in Leadville, CO; Boulder, CO; Colorado Springs, CO; Cody, WY and Kalispell, MT.  From the age of 25 to almost 80 he was either skiing, on the ski patrol (National) or teaching ski school.  

Alan was an historian and storyteller — he loved teaching junior high students and acting out historical events in the classroom, including Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. In 1999, Alan retired as a school superintendent, after which he turned to his second profession, writing. Alan published four books and was working on his fifth. His childhood inspired his writing along with his great admiration for and value of the Native American Indian culture. A proud progressive, Alan fought injustice and believed in our country and democracy.

Alan will be known by his friends and family as staying active. Not one to sit, unless writing, his latest passion was building an ultralight airplane with his very close friends, the “Fly Boys.”

Perhaps his first and purest love was for the Nebraska Cornhusker football team. As an enthusiastic supporter, he built shrines to his favorite team for each game day, subscribed to newspapers and websites only for Nebraska updates, and opined on the quality of their coaches and players to whoever was within earshot. Go Big Red!

Alan is survived by wife, Judy; sons, Greg and Adam; daughter, Nancy; brothers, Terry and Roger; and five grandchildren.

Please join us for Alan's Celebration of Life on January 13, 2024 from 4-7 pm at the West Woods Golf Club (6655 Quaker Street, Arvada, CO. 80007). Please join us at the 19th hole to celebrate Alan, who wanted us to come together, share stories, and toast him farewell. And please wear Husker Red... Perhaps that will bring the Cornhuskers better luck this next season, which he would very much appreciate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Foundation for Prader Willi Research. Donations can be made below.

To read more about Alan’s writing, please visit: https://alanhafer.com/author/.