Alan L. VerPlanck

Fort Wayne, IN

Alan Lee VerPlanck, born May 1, 1950, to Orpha and Charles “Chuck” VerPlanck, passed away at home July 27, 2017. He was 67. He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife, Victoria, in November of 2016. Together they shared over 42 years of marriage and gave their three children, Carl, Anna, and Zoe a storied childhood.

In high school Alan would meet his would-be wife, Vicky.  High school was of little interest to him and subsequently he suffered academically. An empathetic English teacher vouched for him when he graduated, and Michigan State University granted him a probationary semester in East Lansing.  In college he found a calling and excelled in English Literature, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Vicky encouraged him to apply for a Rhodes Scholarship. He did so begrudgingly as it would delay marriage plans, and he himself was unconvinced of his own qualifications. Unsurprisingly to those who knew him, he was accepted despite his doubts.

He spent three years at Oxford studying English Literature before returning to Michigan. He decided to enroll in the University of Michigan Law School for reasons which still remain unclear.  One story was that it offered more fiscal viabilities than an English degree alone. Another was that after years of wrangling language he sought the more tangible constructs of law (although he would say later that law was anything but tangible).  Another favorite explanation was that in high school a teacher told him he could never be a lawyer and he thus took it as a challenge.

After law school Vicky and Alan settled in Fort Wayne.  Many opportunities abounded for a young lawyer with his impressive education, but family was paramount his entire life, and he and Vicky never cared to venture from the Midwest and family connections in Fort Wayne.

In Fort Wayne Alan settled into a position at Barrett McNagny Law Firm where he became partner not long after. Eventually he left to become a founding partner at Eilbacher Scott. His law career will be remembered for his labor efforts defending the common man, and donating service to those who could not afford a voice in any other way.

He is survived by his son Carl, daughters Anna and Zoe, adopted son Andy Kennedy, and grandson Alan.  He also leaves behind brother Kent and sister-in-law Rhonda; sister-in-law, Yvonne Evanoff-Joseph; brothers-in-law, Carl and Eric Evanoff and their spouses Juleen and Marjorie; and Evanoff nieces and nephews, Gabriel, Raphael, Emily, Claire, and Alex.

His recently departed Vicky, children, grandson and family meant the world to him.

Memory Eternal.

A graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Lansing. Friends are invited to meet at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1704 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2017, and process to the cemetery for the service. Preferred memorials may be sent to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.