Dear Ruth and Family of Alan B. Worthington,
I would like to express my heart sympathy to all of you over the passing of Alan. I met Alan at the Masonic Village through my father, Charles Croft. My family ate dinner with Alan and Ruth one night. My father introduced us all and told Alan and Ruth our family did volunteer work with the USO. My father also told us, Alan was a retired Army Colonel. We quickly became friends and had a great time at dinner that first night when we met.
Every time I brought my mother out to see my father, I would look in on Alan and have a chat. It gave my parents a few moments alone with each other. He was so interesting to talk to and my family really enjoyed seeing him. My teenage son, Tyler and I would tell him all about our USO work. We even showed Alan and Ruth videos of the work Tyler did with the USO. Alan would tell Tyler how proud he was of the work he was doing with them and how much it meant to the soldiers. Having a Colonel’s encouragement meant the world to my son. We always loved hearing some of Alan’s stories especially the one about the Swiss Alps picture in his room. He even allowed us to take a picture of it with my phone. We found that photo extremely interesting.
I personally enjoyed pushing him down to the dining room if I noticed him missing from his table. I would walk down to his room and say, Colonel you’re late for lunch. Would you like a lift to the dining room? He always took me up on the offer and I enjoyed taking him to his table. One day he asked me why I was so nice to him. I told him I thought he was a very special man. He thanked me and told me I was special too. It was an honor and privilege for me to do something so little for someone who gave so much to our country. I am truly going to miss those times with him when I go back to see my father.
I always told him to say hello to Ruth for me when she wasn’t there when I went to visit. He always told me, Ruth was the love of his life. I loved hearing him tell me how special she was to him. He loved talking to me about his family and I enjoyed hearing everything he had to tell me. My family and I will miss him dearly and will treasure all the memories we made with him in the short time we knew him.
Rest in Peace Colonel Alan B. Worthington, you will never be forgotten! Thank you for your service to our country and for being a friend to my family. You and Ruth will always have a special place in our hearts.
Sincerely,
Ellen Croft Forr and Family
