Alan Churchill Jones
Jan. 14, 1927-Feb. 28, 2026
Menlo Park, California

Alan Churchill Jones passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28, at 2:10 p.m., while in hospice care. He lived a life defined by resilience, scientific dedication, deep love, and quiet generosity.

Alan grew up in Berkeley, California, where he met his childhood neighbor and lifelong love, Olga. Both red-haired and spirited, they became sweethearts early on and remained devoted to one another throughout their lives. Olga went on to nursing school, and together they built a partnership grounded in loyalty, endurance, and shared strength.

Their marriage carried both joy and profound challenges. They had two children: a daughter who died in early childhood, and a son, George. Faced with significant medical and developmental difficulties, Alan and Olga cared for George at home for as long as they could before making the painful but necessary decision to seek institutional care. It was one of many difficult moments they faced together with courage.

In his early life, Alan served in the military during a period that would profoundly shape him. He was among the very few who survived exposure to a devastating radiation blast and one of only two scientists who lived into old age without succumbing to cancer. His survival was remarkable, but those who knew him would say his steady perseverance mattered even more.

Alan devoted his professional life to science and public service. He worked for many years at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla before moving to Menlo Park to join the U.S. Geological Survey as a geophysicist. His work frequently took him to Parkfield, where he conducted field studies in one of the most seismically active regions in the country. He approached his work with precision, humility, and deep respect for the natural world.

Outside his scientific career, Alan was an avid photographer, traveler, and lover of birds and animals. He collected cameras with enthusiasm and developed his own film and prints for many years. Through his lens, he documented neighborhood gatherings, celebrations, and quiet everyday moments, leaving behind a visual record treasured by many. His travels brought him friends across the globe, and he made a point of staying in touch with the people he met along the way.

Alan was a well-loved presence on Central Avenue in Menlo Park - kind, generous, and often quietly funny. He enriched his neighborhood not with grand gestures, but with steady presence and thoughtful attention.

In his later years, Alan was cared for by his devoted caregiver, Milane, who welcomed him as part of her own family.

Alan's life was one of enduring love, intellectual commitment, and understated strength. He will be remembered for his scientific contributions, his artistic eye, his kindness, and the deep loyalty he showed to those he loved.

He leaves behind the many lives he touched and the memories he so carefully preserved.

Tags: veteran, public service