Alvin Siegel

Alvin Siegel, 75, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021. He was born on March 17, 1945 in Providence, RI to Irving and Sadie Siegel.

Alvin (Al) grew up in Providence. He graduated from Classical High School (class of ’63) in Providence, RI. After high school, he attended the University of Rhode Island where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Chemistry. Al earned a Master of Science in Food Science from Michigan State University then his PhD in Food Science from Kansas State University. Later, he earned a teaching certification from Texas Christian University.

Al married Martha in 1979 in Lima, Peru. They were married for 41 years. Their marriage was a combination of love and respect for different cultures and religions.

Al worked for many years in the field of international development, traveling around the world in support of local agriculture. Al spent three years in Africa while working for the Canadian International Development Research Center (IDRC).  He spent two years in Thailand improving the nutrition of school age children while working on his PhD dissertation.  Al lived one year in Mexico and four years in Peru while working for the US State Department.

He enjoyed languages and was fluent in Thai, German, French, Hebrew, Yiddish and Latin. He worked in Pakistan and Afghanistan providing improved agricultural and post-harvest techniques. He was offered a seven-year assignment with the World Bank (in Pakistan and Afghanistan) when he was in his mid-fifties.  He declined the assignment because he was concerned about safety for his children. Working towards food equality was a passion for Al.  He was convinced that people would work toward peace if they had enough food.

Through his work and in his life, Al drew joy from traveling; he embraced people from all faiths and nations. He also enjoyed gardening and cooking. The last few years he became a bird watcher and avid conservationist.

Al taught college at the University of Rhode Island and was his wife’s professor. He also taught at the State University of New York (SUNY).  Later, he taught high school courses in life sciences, biology, physics, and chemistry at the Masonic Home and School of Texas, a home for widows and orphans, in Fort Worth, TX. He also taught nutrition classes at Tarrant County College for nursing students.

Al was preceded in death by his parents Irving and Sadie Siegel and his sister Arlene Moody. Al is survived by his wife Martha Siegel of Arlington, TX; his daughter Judith Siegel of New York, NY and his son David Siegel of Arlington, TX; his grandchild Mira Tijerina-Siegel; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives. Al was a model in stability and integrity for his family and always kept his word.  Al was a man of honor and a loving husband and father.

A memorial service will be held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 500 Kennedale Sublett Rd, Kennedale, TX at 2pm, Thursday, February 18th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Autism Society of America and the Alzheimer’s Association, his favorite charities.