Alan G. Forssell

June 15, 1931 - March 16, 2015
Alan G. Forssell

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Williamsburg – Alan G. Forssell, 83, passed away on March 16, 2015. Retired director Surface Ship Systems, Naval Sea Systems Command Nuclear Power Directorate. Coordinated all aspects of nuclear surface ship propulsion systems for aircraft carriers and cruisers, that is, concept through disposal. Received meritorious and distinguished senior executive awards as well as ASNE Harold E. Saunders lifetime service award during 40 years in nuclear power program. Served as boy scout troop scoutmaster for 18 years and in numerous capacities at the church my family and I attended. Alan is survived by his wife of 59 years Betty Rose; three children Carol Forssell, Eric Forssell (Diane) and Catherine Cross (Tim) brother Mark and wife Shirley Forssell and five grandchildren, Kirby Forssell, Caleb Forssell, Ellery Forssell, April Cross and Natalie Cross. A visitation is scheduled for 1:30pm Saturday March 21, 2015 at Patriots Colony, Williamsburg with a memorial service to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Kids konnection P.O Box 2150, Washington D.C 20013 (202)563-1720, www.kidskonnectiondc.com.


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  • March 18, 2015
    CAPT Steven DiNobile, USN (Ret) says:
    My sincere condolences to the entire Forssell family.

  • March 21, 2015
    Betsy Turner says:
    My heart goes out to your family at what I know is a very difficult time. Mr. Forssel was such a gentleman and lived a most accomplished life. Requiescat in pace. Betsy Turner (daughter of Robert Olds)

  • March 20, 2015
    Douglas Bell says:
    My deepest sympathy to the Forssell family during this time. Mr Forssell was the superb Scoutmaster during my time at Troop 643. He was one of the few men who I regarded as a positive role model growing up, as I look back on my life. He was always knowledgeable and patient with the boys in the Troop and helped us achieve our goals in Scouting. Mr Forssell exemplified the Scout motto. He also gave many of us our first taste and love of the great outdoors through camping. A man would be hard pressed to leave a better legacy than Alan Forssell. Sincerely, Doug Bell

  • March 19, 2015
    Ray Duff, CAPT, USN (ret) says:
    Mr. Forssell, was a gentleman and great to talk while assigned to CVN 65 and during my assignment in the Linelocker. My prayers go out to the family, he will be missed.

  • March 21, 2015
    Bill and Becky Christensen says:
    Al Forssell was one of the nicest men we have had the pleasure of knowing. For years at Naval Reactors headquarters, he was always an ally. He was thoughtful and blessed with an unlimited memory which he showed only enough to help resolve a problem. When USS NIMITZ and USS EISENHOWER were being built, I was part of a task force that had to deal with issues on very large reactor plant valves. Al was a great calming influence throughout the troubleshooting, engineering the modifications needed with the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, urgently building new test facilities to qualify the design changes, getting parts off the ships, returned to an always challenging vendor, and back on the ship at Christmas time. Al helped craft the message to the fleet requiring a response from every ship in the nuclear fleet by dispatch. While the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) was home ported at Alameda or in the drydock at Huntersí Point, Al was a phone call away and always helpful, no matter the time of day or often night. When ENTERPRISE connected to shore power at Alameda, the lights at Mare Island Naval Shipyard would dim. As Naval Reactors Representative, I called Al from the ship one early morning and gave him the beginnings of a description of a problem and he finished the rest in detail! I have told this sea story many times over to the large host of carrier personnel and they all had their own stories to add about Al, always with fondness. He was just as helpful with USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70), ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72), USS BAINBRIDGE (CGN-25), USS CALIFORNIA (CGN-36), USS TEXAS (CGN-39) USS ARKANSAS (CGN-41) when home ported at Alameda. His unwavering support continued at nuclear powered surface ships at Puget Sound, many who had transferred from Alameda. As Naval Reactor Representative at Puget Sound, I would continue to receive Alís unconditional support which I will be forever grateful. Al was truly an amazing man, always greeted you with his famous smile, and was always a helpful and wonderful colleague in our efforts to support our Navyís nuclear powered fleet.