Allan Gunn

Allan Gunn, 86, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2022.  He is survived by his wife, Jane; by four children - Bill, Karen, Bob (Emi), and Susan (Jeff Cook); and seven grandchildren - Aidan, Molly, Emma, Ramona, Otis, Eliza and Katy.

Allan was born in 1936 and raised in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to parents Chester and Sabra Gunn.  He had one older sibling, Geraldine (Lee) Madden, who predeceased him.  Allan attended Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights where he was valedictorian of the class of 1954 and a member of the National Honor Society. He received his BA, magna cum laude, from Carleton College in Northfield MN in 1958, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.  He attended New York University School of Law as a Root-Tilden scholar, served on Law Review and earned a JD in 1961. In 1973 he received an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.  From 1961 to 1982, he practiced law with the firm of Seyfarth, Shaw, Fairweather and Geraldson in Chicago, worked in private practice for four years, and for the twenty years until he retired was a partner with the firm Matkov, Salzman, Madoff and Gunn. 

Allan and his wife raised their children in Winnetka IL.  As he had with academics, Al dove into parenting activities with enthusiasm - he drove kids to activities, coached a team or two, served as Pack Master for a stint, attended various fund-raising events, and on a few occasions was coaxed to dance on stage for a junior high school benefit.  He was honored and happy to serve for many years on Board of Directors of The Cradle, an adoption agency in Illinois.  A rustic cabin on a small lake with wonderful Wisconsin friends was a favorite vacation getaway for 30 years.

 As empty nesters, Allan and Jane moved to Santa Fe NM. There he took up woodworking, watercolor painting and Spanish language classes.  After 15 years of enjoying beautiful high mountain air and new friends, they moved farther west to Seattle where three children had settled.  His favorite days were those filled with the smiles of grandchildren.

Allan will be remembered for his genuine kindness, devotion to family, and his quiet sense of humor.  A host with the most.  His family bids adieu to a very special person.  A gathering to celebrate Allan’s life will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2-5 PM, at Dakota Place, 4304 SW Dakota Street, Seattle.  Memorial donations may be made to The Cradle, 2049 Ridge Avenue, Evanston IL 60201 or at https://www.cradle.org/support-the-cradle/ways-give/make-donation

To share your condolences and memories of Allan with Family and Friends, please visit his Tribute Wall, located above. 

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home -

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Allan Gunn, please visit our Tree Store.