Résumé

Behind the scenes and acting with great modesty, Alan Black made a huge contribution to Seattle's high quality of life, particularly in the area of historic preservation. With a handful of people including architect Ralph D. Anderson, Jr., (1924-2010) and art gallery owner Richard White (d. 07/22/2002 in Cuernavaca, Mexico), Black played an important role in the resuscitation and protection of the Pioneer Square neighborhood, by buying properties there and rehabilitating them. His obituary said: "Full of energy and drive, Alan accomplished many things. He was a leading force in the revitalization and restoration of historic buildings in Pioneer Square during the 1970s. A man who avoided the limelight, Alan moved mountains quietly through his generosity." (See "Alan Fraser Black," Seattle Times, 06/09/2023, p. A16.) An obituary for Richard White in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said: "Back in the 1960s, unlike many of that period's advocates of urban renewal, Mr. White and his colleagues -- architects Anderson, Victor Steinbrueck and Ibsen Nelsen; furniture maker Ben Masin; investor Alan Black; then Mayor Wes Uhlman; and many others -- didn't want to wipe the area's old slate clean and write a new story there. They wanted a Pioneer Square that was rich in contrasts, and that's what they inspired: a place where homeless shelters and high-priced condos, seedy bars and fine bookstores, ballparks and art galleries coexist to create a complex culture." (See Regina Hackett, Seattle Post-Intelligencer.com, "Visionary, art dealer Richard White dies," published 07/25/2002, accessed 07/12/2023.)

Employee, Seattle Cedar Lumber Manufacturing Company, Seattle, WA.

Partner, Black and [Theodore L.] Caldwell, Building Contractors, Seattle, WA, 01/1961-early 1980s.

High School / College

Coursework, Lakeside School, Seattle, WA, c. 1942-1945.

Attended senior year at Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, MA, 1945-1946.

B.S., Industrial Administration, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 1946-c. 1950.

Relocation

Alan Fraser Black was born in Seattle, WA, and raised on a family property on Bainbridge Island. In 1946, Black's family resided on Upper Farm Road in Port Blakely. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For Washington, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 16, accessed 07/12/2023.) In 1940, the family also had a Seattle townhouse at 3875 East John Street. The house had a value of about $15,000 at the time, about three times the local average. At that time, the household consisted of his parents Leo and Dorothy, three siblings, Marilyn, William and David, and two servants, June Nordaas (born c. 1907 in Norway) and Doris Clanton (born c. 1906 in NE).

He attended prep schools in Seattle and Deerfield, MA, before matriculating at Yale University in New Haven, CT.

After college, Black returned to Seattle and married his Bainbridge Island neighbor, Sally Clise, with whom he raised a family. He worked for his family's busness, the Seattle Cedar Lumber manufacturing Company.

Following his lumber career, he got into property development and building contracting, working with partner Theo Caldwell (1923-1986) in the firm of Black and Caldwell. This firm was particularly active in building residences on Mercer Island, WA.

He passed away at age 95, a highly impressive and beloved figure, who led quietly and with dignity from behind the scenes.

Parents

His mother was Dorothy McEwan (born 12/17/1899 in Bay City, MI-d. 1991 in WA). She was born in Bay City, MI, one of Michigan's most important lumber cities during the late 19th century. When lumber supplies began to be exhausted in the state's Lower Peninsula by the 1890s, a number of loggers, such as Seattle's Stimson Family, relocated operations to timber-rich WA State. Her mother was Anna S. Braddock (born 06/29/1864 in Bay City, MI-d. 03/04/1945 in Seattle, WA), her father William Hunter McEwan (born 10/23/1860 in Bay City, MI-d. 06/27/1923 in Seattle, WA) worked as a Bay City real estate agent in 1870.

She wed Leo Simpson Black on 06/18/1921 at Trinity Church in Seattle, WA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013; Reference Number: kingcoarchmc78752, accessed 07/12/2023.) Leo Black was an executive of the Seattle Cedar Lumber Manufacturing Company.

Alan had three siblings: Marilyn Black Watson, William Black and David Black.

Spouse

He wed Sarah "Sally" Faith Clise (d. 2018) on 08/28/1954 at at Saint Barnabas's Church, Bainbridge, Island, WA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013; Reference Number: kingcoarchmc199505, accessed 07/12/2023.) They remained married for 64 years.

Sally belonged to the Clise Family, early settlers in Seattle, who built a local financial and real estate empire.

Children

He and Sally had four children: Marilyn Black Watson, Ian Black (d. 1974), Andrea Black, Fraser Black, and Kayla Black.

Biographical Notes

As per his World War II draft registration card of 02/28/1946, Black was Caucasian with a light complexion, brown eyes and hair. He stood 5-feet, 10-inches tall, and weighed 160 pounds. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For Washington, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 16, accessed 07/12/2023.)