Alan William LAU, Ph.D.

LAU, CAIN, KOBLENZ

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:47

September 10, 1936 ---- September 22, 2018

Dr. Alan Lau, born Sept. 10, 1936, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, after a brief but valiant fight with cancer. Born to Ethel [Koblenz] and Leonard Lau in Klemme, Iowa, Al lived an exciting life. Predeceased by the love of his life, Jane Cain Lau, he was an excellent basketball player, avid golfer, and lover of German Shepherd dogs, race cars and really bad Sci-Fi movies.

He is survived by his daughter, Karna, of San Diego, Calif.; two sons, James, also of San Diego, and John of Cape Canaveral, Fla.; six grandchildren; and his beloved dog Panzer.

A graduate of McKinley Technological High School in Washington, D.C., and American University, he earned his doctorate in organizational psychology from the University of Utah. He spent many years in government service but found his calling as a college professor. He was an avid researcher of leadership development and published numerous articles on the subject in peer reviewed journals. As a professor with the University of Maryland, he taught deployed service members all over Europe. He, his wife Jane and dog Sieglinde, spent time in Germany, England, Spain, Belgium and Greece, but Italy was by far their favorite country. They regularly hosted numerous visiting friends and family and shared their love of all things Italian.

He and Jane moved to Lexington where he was a professor at the Virginia Military Institute, and following his retirement, he taught at Averett University. He had numerous friends in the community, with special acknowledgement to Gordon Calkins and family, and Kathy Bulger-Barnett and family.

Al was a loving husband, father, friend and mentor to many, and will be missed. In accordance with his wishes there will be no services, but all are encouraged to celebrate his life as they wish. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rockbridge Area Hospice or the Rockbridge SPCA are welcomed and appreciated.

News-Gazette --- Lexington, Virginia
October 10, 2018