This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Alfred Kirkland, 82, born on July 27, 1930 and passed away on August 30, 2012. We will remember him forever.
The email invitations for the memorial service were sent the evening of September 5. If you would like to attend, but did not receive the email, check your junk-mail box before contacting me via the link with my name (Kelly Kirkland) on this page on the right side.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI am so sorry about Al's passing and pray that our Lord will bring you comfort. You spend so much time in the chapel with the Lord and I'm sure he will be reaching out to touch your heart. He will help you recall all the beautiful memories of Al and the time will come when those memories will bring you joy. May God bless you now.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We so remember you and Al coming to the Emerald Ball in 1980 and forever after being the Priory's biggest supporters. So many will miss Al. He was so generous. Our love to you, Jan and Oz Pieper
The news has reached me in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and I think of Puerto Vallarta where I met teenager Kelly and her parents. What joy Big Al brought to so many. The visits in the Bay Area, Tucson, in an RV, around amazing food, etc. He hit a home run! Love to you.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Al.
You are in our thoughts and prayers
Love
Barrett & Carole
A true gentleman, scholar-athlete and one that ALWAYS made the room brighter ~ You will be missed Big Al!!!
Love always, Dot
PS. Say hi to Chuck Taylor
Mass and Communion for the Kirkland family.
Zeta Psi in 1967-68. He was also sometimes my Rugby Ref. Subsequently, I saw him at some of the away games in the Midwest. He was a friend who connected me more deeply to Stanford. I shall always remember him, and think of him often.
I wanted to say that I am so happy to that you and Al were at Mom and Dad's 65th.I believe the Lord arranges everything in our lives. It was special that you and Al were able to spend it with us.
I see Al smiling and at peace with the Lord. I pray that peace is with you too. All love to you, Ruth
With love, Jeanette and Joe
We are sad to hear of Al's death. You were great neighbors in Menlo Park. Kelly and Bonnie were best buddies from the day they met I think, and Colleen was a lovely babysitter too! Bonnie loved to eat at your house because Al was such a great cook. With love and prayers for comfort. Jane and Walter Day
I was not prepared to lose my pal. Who will now send me bad Armenian jokes. Along with you, I miss him already. His dry humor was always my high for the day. The rest of you stay well.
It is with deepest sympathy that I think of your family and you. Al was such a considerate, and truly nice gentleman. He will be missed and remembered by all who knew him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
62 years is about how long Jack and I knew Al. You came along later to enrich and complete his life. Not only did you make a strong and effective business team, but together you gathered an everlasting circle of friends who love you and will be the rocks on which you may lean henceforth. Al was cherished & will very much be missed.
Tormey and Carol
I was a scout/practice player on that 1951/HowBoys team, but always felt included by Al and the Rose Bowl Team. I loved being on Al's email list, and appreciate all he has done to keep the HowsBoys legend and spirit alive in Stanford Football. John and Martha Gilmore.
We were so sad to hear about Al's passing. You and Al were always fun to be with at Family Reunion and other KW events. We feel blessed to have known Al. We will be keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Robert and Myrna Reid
I was very sad to hear of Al's passing. While I didn't know him well, he was a very warm man (not to mention talented soup cook). I always enjoyed seeing him at Stanford (women's) volleyball and football games.
Al was the unifying force that held our "How Boys" together all of these 60 plus years. His love of Stanford and his enthusiasm was contagious. He will be sorely missed.
Thank you for including me - my condolences and I will miss the correspondance.
My sincere condolences to you. The loss of Al is felt by us all. I am so very glad to have become acquainted with him, and to have had the opportunity to see him recently. Much love to you.
I'm very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care.
It was my privilege to call Al my friend since the 4th grade. His love of sports, comradeship, and humor will always inspire those whose lives he touched.
Juana and Don Mueller
I shall always remember Al and my interest in history and sharing our most recent books read. I shall remember him at St Denis this Sunday.
Gary
We send our loving thoughts and compassion to you on the sudden loss of Al. No one loved the 1952 Rose Bowl Team more, and his bond and enthusiasm for them kept the team together to share memories of their unique years together. His legacy will live on forever in all who knew and loved him.
We will all miss Al, who was smart, funny, kind and the best source of Stanford info around.
Leave a Tribute
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I remember meeting this wonderful gentleman when I came to Athletics, turned into one of the people I LOVED seeing daily. I Miss You AL! I do want to say my oldest now works on Campus and I am so glad you took time to talk with me occasionally! - wish I could have introduced him to you! Love, John! You are STILL MISSED!
Love is A Many Splendored Thing
Independently, my son Jim and I immediately had the same reaction to the photo on the back of the memorial program (an enlargement was displayed outside the chapel.
Al waving from the top of the grassy hill was a near duplicate of the final scene in "Love is a many Splendored Thing" with William Holden waving from a nearly identical hill.
Jim had seen the movie many years ago, as had I, and I had watched it again just the night before the memorial!
I wondered if the film had any special remembrance for Jeannie and Al.
Al was great friend!
Dick Rutter '54
American All Stars legend
I heard about Al's death last Saturday and was deeply saddened that he had not lived long enough to read my book about the American All Stars rugby league tour in 53, to which he contributed such magical stories. I only met Al twice, both times he was wonderful with his generosity of time and spirit.
Having travelled from England to interview him a second time in April 2007, he was in bed recovering from an operation. I arrived late and he was about to have his daily treatment. But he told his nurse "Leave us to it - this fella's come further than you have"!!
It was so fitting that on Sunday I was at the Rugby League Heritage Centre in Huddersfield and there on the wall in the boardroom was an All Stars team group including Teddy Grossman, Ed Demerjian, Bob Buckley, Pat Henry, Al Abajian, Vince Jones, Jack Bonetti and Big Al.
My book No Helmets Required will be out next year - I had hoped Al would be a special guest at a launch event at Stanford. I will invite his family instead.
Thanks Al.
Gavin Willacy, Bengeo, England