Alastair Kirkpatrick, born September 3, 1956, died Sept. 25 after a courageous 27-month battle with glioblastoma.
Alastair, son of Roger and Diana Kirkpatrick, grew up in the English seaside town of Broadstairs, Kent, where he would like to say, “On a clear day you can see the enemy.”
He went to Edinburgh for university, chosen on the basis of greatest distance from home. After university and during his “red square glasses and platform shoes phase,” he was offered a job at Gulf International Bank in Manama, Bahrain.
Not being particularly athletic up to this point, Alastair decided to take a tennis lesson from the American tennis coach Gayle Goettman. For the next two years, Alastair and Gayle enjoyed the expat lifestyle, making lifelong friends, traveling to amazing places, and drinking Budweisers on the rooftop while watching the Scud/Patriot missile fireworks display during the Gulf War.
Leaving Bahrain and marrying in Springfield, Ohio, Alastair and Gayle settled in London. During these years, Alastair’s life was given new meaning with the births of his children, Olivia and Paul.
Realizing his wife was suffering from sun deprivation, he relocated his family to Pacific Palisades, where he quickly learned that in the U.S. one’s Saturdays are spent refereeing youth soccer, coaching t-ball and attending swim meets.
In 2007, the Kirkpatricks moved to Austin. Alastair joined a team at the Permanent School Fund where his opinions were valued, his legacy was created and his participation in casual Fridays never happened.
His glioblastoma diagnosis was devastating to all who knew him, but he inspired everyone with his positive attitude, his grit and determination in a battle he knew he would not win.
Alastair donated his body to science in hopes that others can learn from his gift. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Paul. In addition to Gayle, Olivia and Paul, he is survived by his brothers Christopher and Ian and their families in England, and his U.S. in-laws.
At his request there will be no service, but family and friends will join Alastair’s Brew Crew and celebrate his life at a future date.
In the meantime, please raise an IPA to Alastair and toast the dedicated family man, loyal friend and trusted colleague with the wicked British sense of humor.
If desired, contributions may be made to: Head for the Cure at http://www.headforthecure.org or Doctors without Borders.
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