Alan Holle

Alan Holle, 72, of Lawrence, KS passed away on September 25, 2025 at his home.

Alan was born March 6, 1953 in Topeka, Kansas. The son of Virginia & Gilbert Holle, he was raised in Lawrence, KS, attending Cordley Elementary, Central Junior High, and Lawrence High School.

Alan loved all things mechanical and electrical. He was gifted at working on electronics. Helping build sound systems, lighting arrays, circuit boards, and other things were fun for him that he enjoyed doing for others. He was always generous with his gift for electronics. Many musicians over the years depended on him to repair and set up their equipment. He designed and built custom made guitar amplifiers, sound systems and computers. He was well known in the local music scene, and was himself a musician; he was mostly a bass player but he could also play guitar.

Alan’s unique perspective was evident early on in life. When taken to the Plaza in KC for the holiday lights as a young boy, he was focused on counting the ones that were not lit.

During his teenage years, his basement room was a frequent hangout for many friends, including the “Seagram Seven”. Alan’s Mom welcomed the bunch, assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that if she knew where they were, they couldn’t get into too much trouble. His interest in CB radio during that time led to a lifelong passion for HAM radio.

His Dad’s motor scooter was used by Alan and his friends to make a large oval track in the yard next to the house. They were supposed to be restricted to the yard, as they were not yet of driving age, but rumor has it that from time to time, the boundary of the yard “expanded” to include the city street.

In the late 1970’s Alan joined a group of high school friends from Lawrence who had migrated to Galveston Texas, finding warmer weather, employment, and easy assimilation into the eclectic, casual, and somewhat bohemian social atmosphere of the Gulf Coast seaport. In Galveston he expanded his circle of friends beyond the original group of Lawrencian ex-pats, and his lifelong passion for electronics and music made him a ready fit for local amateur bands, repair shops, and musicians. He was never slow to wield a soldering gun to an ailing amplifier, or a hand wrench to a “beater” automobile in need of some TLC. For many friends, when in need of a bit of assistance with a minor or not-so-minor challenge, the call would go out to Alan. His quirky sense of humor could kick-start any task.

Alan’s technical skill in electronics and radiocommunications led him to licensure from the U.S. Coast Guard and the FCC as a shipboard Radio Officer, which he obtained during this period. It was a natural fit, as the cohorts from Lawrence had likewise obtained Coast Guard documentation and licensure as Merchant Mariners and were actively employed aboard vessels underway. As a professional seafarer, Alan worked on many vessels in various capacities but primarily focused on government / military owned or operated vessels, often supporting forward deployed operational and intelligence missions.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Holle.

Please join us in Betty’s Room at Johnny’s Tavern in North Lawrence, 401 N. 2nd Street, Lawrence, KS on Sunday, October 26th anytime between 2:00PM – 5:00PM to share memories and celebrate Alan’s life.