Alan Syron

Alan Syron passed away peacefully at his home on the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Alan was born to Verna and Orval Syron in Cottonwood on Aug. 25, 1950. He grew up in the town of Nezperce. When he was in the eighth grade he met the love of his life, Diane Marie Wormuth, who had recently moved to town. The two of them were together through their education at the University of Idaho. They married on June 24, 1972, in Nezperce. It was a true love that lasted 52 years.

That fall, Alan started his education career in Lapwai teaching junior high and high school life sciences. In the fall of 1977, he moved his family from Lapwai to Kooskia and established their home on the ranch with Orval and Verna. He taught in Kooskia for 31 years.

Teaching was Alan's passion and you'll find thousands and thousands of students who had him that proclaim to this day he was their favorite and best teacher they ever had. At Clearwater Valley High School he taught botany, physiology, biology and earth sciences. All three of his kids had him as a teacher and felt it wasn't always fair with homework because he refused to help and it was up to mom to fill in the gaps. He was an assistant football coach, head and assistant girls basketball coach and a track coach for many years having an impact on students outside of the classroom as well. He also served as the high school athletic director for 15 years during his tenure. Most days he was one of the first to arrive and certainly the last to leave double checking the popcorn machine multiple times to make sure it was "off" when a sporting event had concluded. He was the keynote speaker for seven graduation ceremonies at CVHS which was an honor he treasured over the years.

Outside of his profession he was a respected member of the community as a husband, father and son. Camping, hunting, fishing and his love of the outdoors were passions that Alan passed onto his three kids and that passion lives on through his grandkids to this day. He was a fan of riding horses his whole life to high country lakes up the Lochsa River. Alan put his family first in every aspect of his life. Our fondest memories come from Red River Hot Springs/Campground and the Wilderness Gateway Campground on the Lochsa. He would see different ideas to build at home for his kids like the zip line behind the house and our trough hot tub he built with his dad complete with a wood stove to heat the water. His famous hook shot on the barn basketball court was unstoppable and he rarely lost a game of pig. For years, the community of Kooskia asked him to announce the Kooskia Days Parade and he was the auctioneer for the benefit auction. Though he never had training as an auctioneer, he sure made it fun.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane; his oldest daughter Melanie, son Michael (Tiffany) and son Jeremi (Karen). He absolutely adored his seven grandchildren Lydia, Isaac, Jackson, Garrett, Jillian, Sadie and Eva Mae.

A celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, April 5 at Clearwater Valley High School, 4643 State Highway 13, Kooskia.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks you to make a donation in Alan's name to the Lowell Quick Response Unit. Freedom Northwest Credit Union or you can mail a check to Lowell QRU c/o Dave and Mary Rogers P.O. Box 205, Kooskia, ID 83539.