The Society is saddened to share that our former CEO, Alan Smith, passed away several days ago. Alan played a central role in shepherding the Society through the difficult period following the passing of Dr. Bill Collis. His energy, tenacity, and vision will be missed by the Executive Committee and our members, many of whom crossed paths with him over the years at conferences, workshops and via online fora.
A steady presence in the field, Alan left school at 16, training first as a bacteriology technician, before later working as a ‘technical gun for hire’ in roles across industrial chemistry, academia and entrepreneurship.
Most recently, Alan was the Chief Scientist of Paragon Resources, a company founded to commercialise his aluminium waste recycling research.
The Society expresses its deepest sympathies to Alan’s family, friends and former colleagues.
Dr. Fran Tanzella, our interim CEO, writes:
I was personally very saddened to learn of Alan’s passing. Alan was a very professional scientist with a jovial personality. He was serious when necessary and lighthearted when appropriate. I will miss my technical, scientific, and political conversations with him. I send my sincerest condolences to his family and hope that he rests in peace.
Speaking as the interim CEO of the ISCMNS, we are very grateful for Alan’s leadership during tough times. He steered the Society through very troubled waters after the untimely passing of Bill Collis. In fact, it is possible that without Alan, and his fellow officers, the Society may not have survived that very rough patch. The society will not be the same with Alan, but is stronger because of his leadership. The ISCMNS will always remember Alan as one of the strong pillars that held the Society together.
R. I. P. Alan Smith.
Fran Tanzella
Interim CEO, ISCMNS
Dr. Thomas Grimshaw writes:
Although I did not know Alan well, I very much appreciate his talents and accomplishments, particularly in the cold fusion arena. My wife, Jo Anne, and I had a very pleasant dinner with Alan and Bill Collis at a nearby restaurant during IWAHLM-15 in Assisi, Italy. We got to experience briefly firsthand his grace and amicability. Certainly his efforts, along with Lynn Bowen, in continuing and improving the ISCMNS after Collis’ untimely death is a primary accomplishment. This contribution is not only to the field, but also – when cold fusion benefits are at last realized – to all of humanity.
Seamus Lonergan, our Interim Treasurer, writes:
I had the pleasure of working with Alan across a number of roles within the Society. Alan’s energy, his tenacity, and his hard work were instrumental in reconstituting the Society following the early passing of Dr. Bill Collis. Prior to joining the Society staff, I was a longtime follower of Alan’s work in aluminum scrap recycling, through its various iterations, and had always admired his immense drive and vision. As I reflect on our work together, my overriding feeling is of gratitude. For Alan’s tireless efforts on behalf of the CMNS community, and personally, for the trust and faith he placed in me. A faith I hope to continue to earn as we progress his vision of a mature, future forward, and prosperous Society.