Alan E. Rose

Alan Eugene Rose was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 16, 1953. He was the son of Arvin Neil Rose and Barbara Lee (Rodecap) Rose. Alan was the oldest of the four Rose boys (Alan, Jim Mike and Gary), who terrorized the town of Meriden, especially the Family Room, where many a good story began. Meriden is where Alan lived the greater part of his best life. He cherished his small-town upbringing and the friends he grew up with, maintaining their lifelong friendships. When he was 10 years old, his father passed away on July 4, 1962, and he always spoke of the overwhelming way the community supported his family. That spirit of community lived in him, and he was committed to sharing those values with others.

He graduated from Jeff West High school in 1971. In his words, "My high school years were probably the best years of my life. Learning, playing sports, and just growing as a person. Various teachers and coaches made such an impact on me. Coach Jacobson was one of the most influential people in my life. He taught me that hard work and dedication will take you a long way."

After high school Alan was slated to attend Wichita State to play football. This dream was derailed when a plane crash involving the Wichita State Football team in October of 1970 ended the school's football program. Alan chose to follow his father's footsteps and attended Central Christian College in McPherson Kansas, where he earned scholarships in both football and basketball.

In the Early 1980's, Alan worked at Cowan Muffler. He went on to purchase the muffler shop in 1985 and Rose Muffler was born. He believed in fair pricing, quality work and superior customer service. When you took your vehicle to Rose Muffler you may have started as a customer but would end up being a lifelong friend. Alan was never one to shy away from a conversation at the counter. Rose Muffler has been in business and providing service to Topeka for 38 years.

KU athletics was in Alan's blood. He had KU Football and Basketball tickets for over 36 years. Even when KU Football was not at its best, Alan was in the stands. He even attended every final four basketball tournament KU has been involved in since 1986!

Alan's passion and love is his children and grandchildren. He had three children and seven grandchildren with his first wife, Erni (Reed) Rose. Neal Rose (Michelle): Kyndall and Avery, Jessica Rose: Brodie, Madysen and Abe, Jamie Rose: Sophia and Braylee. When Alan married Theresa, he gained three more children and two more grandchildren. Dorothy Beatty: Alice and Karsten, Brian Beatty (Leah) and Luke Beatty. Alan and Theresa's wedding was in true Alan Rose fashion; prior to a Jack Huckabay golf tournament, in Las Vegas, at the Little White Chapel, in the back of a pink Cadillac. They wouldn't have it any other way.

Alan loved helping kids anytime he could. He believed that all children should have opportunities to be involved in activities and he enjoyed helping to make that happen. He was an active member of the North Topeka Optimist, and he would probably consider the Bob Cutter Classic Golf Tournament, one of his greatest accomplishments. He helped organize the tournament for 38 years, and it was one of the largest fundraisers for the organization. Seeing the community support and the results was always a proud moment for Alan.

One of Alan's favorite places was Lake Perry Country Club, or as he fondly referred to it, "The Club". This is where Alan celebrated EVERY birthday. This was where the Rat Bastards would play their Sunday Golf, then sit on the deck and have drinks and smoke cigars. This is where Alan and the Lake Ridge Crew would tell stories, jokes and tall-tales till the wee hours of the morning. This is where Alan and Theresa met and have been inseparable ever since.

There is no way to sum up Alan's time on our earth without filling a book. A good friend could not have said it any better: "No one can fill your fun-loving, kind, cigar smoking, sarcastic, caring, funny and generous shoes. You will always be overseeing the Ridge-helping keep an "Alanism" at the tip of all our tongues." He will be missed by countless friends and family including his three surviving brothers Jim, Mike and Gary as well as his step-sister Jeanette. All of us will work to keep his jovial spirit alive.

Among the pages and piles of notes, "Alanisms", and jokes Alan wrote documenting and savoring his fondest memories of his life, he wrote "I've had a great life; I think because of my small town upbringing and values. I think about schoolmates and friends along the way. It's been a wonderful life." - Alan E Rose.

Honoring Alan's request, cremation is planned. The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at Sunrise Optimist Club 720 NW 50th St, Topeka, KS 66617. Celebration of his Life will take place on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at Lake Perry Country Club 6506 Cherokee Ln, Ozawkie, KS 66070. Social hour will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a tribute beginning at 6:00 p.m. Socializing and stories will follow.

Parker-Price Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sunrise Optimist Club of North Topeka, 720 NW 50th St., Topeka, KS 66617.

To share a memory of Alan or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.