Alan Dessoff ’57


Alan Dessoff ’57 died of cancer December 13, 2012, at the ManorCare Health Services facility in Potomac, Maryland. Born in Washington, D.C., Alan came to Dartmouth after graduating from Sidwell Friends School in 1953. Following graduation Alan received a master’s in journalism from Columbia University in 1958. At Dartmouth he was active the in the athletic council and Green Key and as manager of the baseball team. In 1958 Alan joined The Washington Post, where he covered state politics in Maryland. In the late 1960s he became press secretary for U.S. Sen. Daniel Brewster and later served in the same role for Sen. Charles Mathias. He served as director of public information for the National Association of Counties and the American Forest Institute. He served as vice president for two public relations firms before becoming a freelance writer and editor. His clients included the AARP Bulletin and several prominent magazines and newspapers. Alan was active in Dartmouth alumni affairs, serving on the Alumni Council, the editorial board of the alumni magazine and as a job development career advisor. He also served as president of the Washington, D.C., Dartmouth Club and as class agent. Alan is survived by his wife, Loverne, three daughters, two grandchildren and a great-grandson.