Mr. Alan Kousen

Mr. Alan Kousen, 76, of Williamstown, passed away on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Berkshire Medical Center. He was born on January 21, 1942. Alan was awarded his BS in Chemistry and Psychology from the University of Miami. Later, in 1969 and 1972 he was awarded first an MS in Information Technology and then an MS in Physical Chemistry at the University of Vermont and then the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He followed this in 1976 with a PhD in Physical Chemistry also awarded by MIT From 1966 to 1987 Alan taught Chemistry at Rutland, Vermont, public schools. From 1987 to 1993 he continued in the State of Vermont working as the Chief Science Consultant for the U.S. Department of Education. In that capacity he was responsible for all professional development for K – 12 administrators and developed educational materials, including environmental and chemistry textbooks and curricula. Additionally, he was State Director for U.S. Department of Education Grants to the State of Vermont. In late 1993 Alan Kousen changed career tracks and began work in Information Systems. From 1993 through 1995, he worked simultaneously as a senior Analyst and IT consultant, respectively, for the U.S. Department of Education and the George Mason University. From 1995 until retirement in 2012, Alan continued in this vein working as a contractor in Enterprise Architecture and Software Engineering for the Department of Defense in Systems Analysis and Defense Information Systems. On retirement Alan made his final, perhaps most dramatic career move. Having built an Adirondack-style Great Camp Lodge, he partnered with A. Carlos Correa, his husband, and established and operated Journey’s End Lodge a widely applauded and award-winning Bed and Breakfast operating in Williamstown, Massachusetts Alan, a tenor, was a devoted singer. As a child and into his teens he sang with the National Cathedral Boys Choir. His musical work continued at the University of Miami and later he sang with the Alexandria Harmonizers based in Virginia, as well as the Berkshire Hillsmen Barbershop Chorus based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. … Alan leaves his son Eric Kousen and his spouse A. Carlos Correa. Funeral Notice: A private celebration of Life for Mr. Alan Kousen will held at journey’s End Lodge where his life will be celebrated with his friends, the Berkshire Rainbow Seniors as well as the Berkshire Hillsmen. In a second, also private celebration of Alan’s life he will be remembered by his friends in the Alexandria Harmonizers and other friends in the Washington D.C. metro area. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Rainbow Seniors of Berkshire County, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 in his memory. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ONLINE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mr. Alan Kousen

January 21, 1942 - September 8, 2018