Submit a PhotoALAN ROBERT PRELLBERG, son of Emil and Margaret (nee Friess) passed peacefully on January 16 in Arizona. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Carol (nee Rzempoluch), his daughter Beth and her wife Carolyn Marosy, and his very noisy cat Charlene.
He was a New Jersey native and spent his (misspent) youth as a boy scout and later as a scout leader. He was a talented craftsman and worked with his brother John, who predeceased him, at his jewelry store John’s Watch Repair in Guttenberg, New Jersey, where he kept many grandfather clocks ticking smoothly.
Alan was a proud firefighter, first as a volunteer in Guttenberg and then in Union City, New Jersey where he retired as a deputy chief. He loved it so much that he would say that “he never worked a day in his life.”
He lived a full life, deeply enjoying varied hobbies, including model trains, juggling, fishing, archery, running marathons, researching family genealogy, and a brief attempt as a failed unicyclist. His most recent hobby was classic cars and he was the proud owner of a 1958 AMC Rambler, just like the car his father had when he was young.
The original “City Slicker” Alan loved trail riding and had “more fun than any person should have” helping at his friend’s cattle ranch. He owned horses in both New Jersey and Arizona, giving him the chance to often comment, “It was a helluva ride, kid” to his daughter when they rode together.
He was a loving and devoted husband and father. He was known for a hell of a sense of humor, a unique way of turning a phrase, and was a loyal friend. He will be missed by all who know he is somewhere whistling “Happy Trails to You” forever.
If you are inclined to make a donation in his memory, please do so to Planned Parenthood or to the Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek (Zelle to KiwanisofQueenCreek@gmail.com OR by check to Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek Community Welfare Foundation at PO Box 356, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142). He didn’t give a sh** about anything except his “4 girls” and these are the causes that are dear to them.
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I am grateful beyond words for having Alan “Old Man” Prellberg for a father in law. His guidance was helpful, not controlling; his wisdom was insightful, not boastful; his humor was NJ-edgy sarcasm, but never cruel. He was content with his life, happily focused on making his wife happy, and he was amused by my wife and I, who he called ‘the eternal teenagers’. He treated people with the kindness and respect they deserved, or could easily tell someone to shut the front door! 😉
I will miss him greatly, and I know I will reflect daily on the many memories and days of laughter and joy. If everyone had a dad or father in law like Alan, this world would be a much better place. May he rest in peace.
Al and I were brothers from different parents. Our friendship spanned over 50 years. Alan was one of a kind, for sure. We worked on many projects for the Union City Department of Public Safety. He was recognized for his prolific understanding of fire fighting and emergency services.
Outside of work we shared a love for horses and adventure. We hiked canyons in Arizona and traveled to teach Incident Command.
Alan was a true friend that you could count on. He will be missed but never forgotten. Rest easy Al love you always. ????????????????
Al was a great neighbor, a good horseman. An all around man who had fun just living life. A man who dedicated his life taking care of his wife Carol. I will always remember Saint Alan!
Al the bag, Carol and Beth, I grew up with you, we were neighbors,friends, and I was at your house so much family. I was there when Beth was brought home. Alan got me in scouts, Guttenberg Fire Dept., where we raced to drive that rig and beat out Stan the man.I owe my career as a Fire Capt. to you, you pushed me,you helped me in so many ways. I let you drive my GTO which you proceeded to take off from a light smoking the tires in front of a WNY Police car which we got pulled over blocks away when you finally stopped it, holy shit what a ride to Dairy Queen that was. To many great Fire stops over the years. Thanks for everything rest in peace.
Reasons why Alan will be missed by so many people. 1) He was incredibly honest. 2) He listened. 3) After listening, he was nonjudgmental…unless you were a total asshole! 4) He was funny as hell. 5) He was generous, taking the time to go get Krispy Kremes for me. 6) He was “down to Earth” yet had a deep conversation with me about pottery shards he found on a cattle drive. But mostly the world would be a better place if we would show each other the love he had for Carol. Just remember roomie, someone is not gone as long as he is remembered. I am a phone call away.
Uncle Alan where do we begin. You were such a big figure in our lives figuratively and in person. We knew talking to you that you would listen then ask questions where we would figure it out ourselves and then the light bulb went off and you would say “see kid there ya go, its that simple” and shrug your shoulders. The dedication you had to your girls especially aunt carol will forever be something many women will wish for. Now its your time to rest easy but keep looking over us. We love you and miss you always!
I’m so sorry for your loss. Alan loved his wife, Carol and his daughter Beth above all else. He built an amazing family and was so warm and welcoming when my sister became a part of it. I’m lucky I got to know him. All I have to do is think of his warm smile and it makes me smile. I’m hoping Peace will be in your hearts as you try to navigate life without him. He was an angel here on earth and now he is an angel in heaven, another of our thousand angels watching over us.
The two things I liked best about Alan were his unusual sense of humor and the way he lovingly took care of you, Carol. With regard to the first he had such a dry sense of humor and always made me laugh. I remember you worrying about Beth when she was learning to talk that she would pick up Alan’s favorite adjective but instead picked up one of yours. And what a loving husband he was to you. You couldn’t have asked for a better man to spend your life with. I know how much he did for you without any complaints, but out of pure love. I know you have so many wonderful memories that you shared with him that he will be with you always in spirit if not in body. I’m here whenever you need an ear to listen.
Alan was my cousin once removed. Both of us originate from the Teuthorn Family of Kiel Holstein. I enjoyed his visit to Germany in 2007, when we visited the places where our common ancestors had lived, over all Frankenhausen and Kiel. Visiting back to his at that time home in Guttenberg, NJ, two years later, we together spent a couple of wonderful days.
I will never forget how we strolled through Hoboken and Alan showed me, with the eyes of an experienced firefighter, the houses and their external fire escapes where our ancestors had lived, as well as his references to former businesses owned by German immigrants. Those days, when I got to know his love of horses, vintage cars, and his special sense of humor, are unforgettable to me. Alan, you have a permanent place in my memory. Rest in peace.
What great neighbors you and Al were to us in Queen Creek. Can you believe it spans 23 years? So many good memories. The world won’t be the same with Al. I am sorry for the pain you all are going through. Al will always be near… don’t forget that.
Al and I couldn’t have been more different. East coast/Midwest, urban/rural ,but not politically. I had the pleasure of knowing Al for just 25 years. The time we spent together was priceless. We both learned alot from each other. He’ll be missed. Al quoted John Wayne often. “Nobody’s getting out of this one alive”. Well, guess he was right. Happy trails Al.