It is with deep regret that AISES inform you today the heartbreaking news of the passing of AISES Sequoyah Fellow and friend, Alan Moomaw. Alan passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 31, 2020, at his home in Olympia, Wash. comforted by his wife, Jeri, and their children.

A member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian reservation, Alan worked as a Tribal Coordinator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 in Lacey, Wash. Alan was born in Omak, Washington on the Colville Indian Reservation. He was also Okanogan, Nespelem, Chinook, Sisseton, Yankton, Assiniboine, Kutenai, and Ojibwa mixed descent.

“I met Alan at an AISES conference more than 20 years ago. He was a great resource not only for me to get into, EPA, but for many others over the years,” says colleague, Robin Slate. Always careful in his interaction with others - both tribal and non-tribal - Alan was truly appreciated by all that knew him.”

Alan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management and a minor in Native American studies from Washington State University. He attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Institute for Environmental Studies/Land Resources Program.

Alan became involved with AISES as a student. At the AISES conference in Dallas, he met an EPA recruiter at the college and career fair. He eventually got a position with the EPA Region 10 in the Washington Operations Office, working with tribal governments.

Alan was a Sequoyah Fellow who participated in the Puget Sound Professional Chapter in Washington, and who often mentored up and coming tribal members.

In 2017, Alan was interviewed as a member of the Native American Community at EPA. In this interview he said, “…check out support organizations like the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, where you can find mentors and make lifelong friends. I have been privileged to be able to work with tribal governments in assisting the development of tribal environmental capacity. So, follow your path forward and have a good journey.”

Those of you who were close to Alan know of the valiant struggle he waged during these past months. Our most heartfelt condolences and sympathies go out to his family and EPA colleagues, as well as numerous extended family members and friends. He will be forever remembered as a selfless, loving father and a dedicated friend to AISES.