Alfred R. Halvorson, 93, of Pullman, passed away on March 23, 2014 at Bishop Place Senior Living. He was born January 22, 1921, the sixth child of Christ Halvorson and Alice Kleven Halvorson. His mother passed away a month after Alfred's birth. He was born and raised on a family farm three miles north of Milan, Minnesota. Elementary schooling was at a one-room country school. He graduated from Milan High School. After graduating, he farmed one year with his father, but with the Depression of the thirties still in operation, the financial returns were way below expectations and not enticing enough to continue. The fall of 1938 found Alfred as a freshman at the University of Minnesota's College of Agriculture. Obtaining the usual four year B.S. degree took him six years as he had to work to finance his education and even part time jobs were hard to find at that time. During these six years he was rejected for military service because of health problems. Right after college graduation, he married his college sweetheart, Dorothy Boxrud. Following this, he obtained a position as Assistant County Agricultural Extension Agent in Olmstead County, Minnesota, headquartered in Rochester. After seeking treatment at the Mayo Clinic for his health condition, he contacted his draft board and was inducted into the army, but received a medical discharge when the problem reappeared after a short time. He then returned to college, obtaining advanced degrees in soil science and plant nutrition. This training had prepared him for professional work with the Land Grant universities in America. His first employment was with Oregon State College, now Oregon State University, at Klamath Falls branch experiment station, where he worked for over four years. While at Klamath Falls, son Gary was born, followed by daughter, Joan about two years later. This was followed by three years employment with Purdue University in Indiana. He then obtained employment with Washington State University, serving as State Extension Soil Specialist and Director of the State Soil Testing Laboratory. After 29 years, Alfred retired. While at WSU, there were three calls for his service, each for a month consulting: first to Australia, then Saudi Arabia (both related to industry that served agriculture) and one call to North Yemen through USAID.

During all of his WSU professional career, much of his work took place at locations out across the state. During that time and after retirement, much time was devoted to local programs and activities. Shortly after arriving in Pullman, he became scoutmaster of a Boy Scout troop sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church, serving for three years. He was chairman of the Pullman Memorial Hospital Foundation for one year, and joined Kiwanis working on their many club and community projects. One of his out of town activities was as a member of Governor Dan Evans' Energy Advisory Council. He served three years on the Pullman City Council. He was appointed by that council to finish the term of the mayor, who accepted a position out of town. At the end of that term, he was elected for a four year term. He served on the Pullman/Moscow Airport Board and the Whitman County Solid Waste Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Pullman Senior Center Association, and served one year as President. The last major project he served on was the Grand Avenue Greenway Beautification Committee. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on many of its committees. He loved the city of Pullman, Whitman County and the entire state of Washington, and was happy to contribute to their wellbeing. He was very proud of his children, who both work in educational areas. In January, 2002 his wife of fifty-seven years passed away. In December of 2003, he married Patricia Patterson, who has been his constant helper and companion.

He is survived by his wife Pat Halvorson of Pullman; his daughter Joan Felice of Roseville, MN; his son Gary Halvorson of Bismark, ND; Pat's daughters Theresa Bryan, Kathleen Patterson, Colleen Swanson & Patti Ford; 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Al was preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy in 2002; four brothers and three sisters.

The family will greet friends during a visitation 5-7 PM on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Friday, March 28, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pullman with vault interment to follow at the Pullman Cemetery. A reception will take place at Bishop Place Retirement Community's independent living social hall later that day at 2:30 PM.

Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, WA is caring for the family. Memorial donations are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church; the Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation or to the Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse.