Tribute to Alan
…“What a Man”…

I could talk about how Alan was born in New York and that he graduated in Music, Arts and Chemical engineering while specializing in Plastic’s … but I won’t… Alan would have hated that word… “WONT”

…“What a Man”…

I could also talk about how Alan was the Technical director of two very large plastic’s company’s in New York and Hong Kong and that he had written many chapters for books and resource papers in regards to polymers, plastic’s and resins and that he had also written and published two of his own books on his life experiences from the time of his plane crash, good, bad, and indifferent… But I’m not going to.

…“What a Man”…

I should also talk about Alan’s Plane crash on July 2, 1963 when the Mohawk 449 plane he was traveling in crash landed beside a runway during a tornado near Lake Ontario, New York. His accident and his life since is well documented in his books, articles and spoken about by many. A story that has helped so many and will continue to do so.
But I’m not going to talk about this.

I should talk about Alans role in setting up, and being the founding father of the Phoenix Society for Burns Survivors, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I could talk about the first World Burns Congress that the Phoenix Society for Burns Survivors held where Delwyn was invited as a guest speaker. They obviously made quite an impact on each other … leading them to the alter and an exciting new journey together.

… Yeah Alan, You’re the Man… !!

I should talk about how many awards Alan and Delwyn have received over the years including their very own award, “The Breslau Award” and “The Local Heroes Award” for the tireless work they have done for Burn Survivors Internationally…

In 2016 Alan was up against Rodney Wayne, I found this particularly funny as Alan didn’t have any hair and I have always wondered what the conversation between Rodney Wayne and Alan Breslau would have been on that night.

I’d like to talk about the time I meet Alan and the next 8 years of his and Delwyn’s life… the fond memories, banter and small talk that I had with Alan.

The first time I met Alan was him behind a piano.

I knew who he was and had heard about him… then… ‘I heard him’… Alan was a fine pianist and every time there was a piano in the room he would usually end up sitting in front of the keys.

There was a gleam in his eye as he headed in the piano’s direction, an acknowledgement that hey I’m here and it won’t be long!

My daughter, Jorja, is a burn survivor and I meet Alan and Delwyn through the children’s camps they attended here in New Zealand. Delwyn as founder and Alan as patron of the Burn Support Group Charitable Trust. Alan and Delwyn have helped so many people national and internationally through their tireless work in burn support, burn management, fundraising and giving back with their big hearts. It didn’t matter of your background or past, if you needed any help, in healing scars externally or internally these were your ‘go to’ people… “Oh and the Talking Stick!”

I was lucky enough, as president of the burn support group charitable trust to be flown to the world Burns congress in Dallas 2017 and Grand Rapids 2018, this is where I learned how much of a “Rockstar” Alan was… In Dallas we were in a room with over 1000 people and each of them had been brought there because of one man… this man however, had a fall at home 24 hours prior to flying out and had broken his collar bone unbeknown to those at congress. Everyone wanted to shake Alan’s hand. Obviously Delwyn did her best to stop people, but Alan kept putting out his hand to great old friends and make new ones in true ‘Rockstar Fashion’. Our New Zealand Contingent cringed every time someone went in for a firm handshake. Alan also played the piano during the Talent Show during this World Burns Congress with his broken collar bone.

In Dallas I also learnt how much Alan liked BBQ’d meat. We had a meal at Lockhart’s BBQ Smoke House, one of the oldest smokehouses in Dallas Texas. Not only did Alan like BBQ meat he had a passion for puddings and desserts… he really did like his sweet treats.

Alan never minced his words and didn’t beat around the bush in what he wanted to say. It didn’t matter where you were at the time… in an AGM or in a hotel corridor. If something was on his mind, he got it out. It was always a pleasure to sit down and have a chat. I wish that I had got to spend more time with him, I would have asked more questions, I really wanted to know more about Plastics and Polymers! Alan was always willing to give you the time of day for a decent discussion and chat.

I remember asking Alan why he likes wearing the dark sunglasses, his response was, it makes me look cool. He advised me one day that as he had only one working eye it can move around further and he could see more out of the corner of his eye… more than most people. A lot of people didn’t know this little party trick.

In Grand Rapids we visited the newly renovated Phoenix Society head office. On Google maps it only looked like a only a few blocks away, so being a lovely day we walked. I pushed Alan in his wheel chair and Alan kept saying, “why are you going so slow?” Wow it was like pushing Michael Schumacher in a wheelchair. Thank you, George for picking Alan and Delwyn up when we had finished our visit, so the rest of us could have a nice casual stroll back to the hotel.

Alan was more than welcoming to talk to young burn survivors and share his expertise and guidance in a way that they not only listened, but understood that everyone has a story. It was always easy to share with Alan. Myself include with my own story, with the magic help of the “Talking Stick”.

The funniest moment I’ve had with Alan and Delwyn would have been at a burns camp in Albany when Delwyn, in true Delwyn style, came out and said, “I don’t want to alarm anyone, but has anyone seen Alans ear?” Alan has lost his ear! This is something you don’t hear every day – excuse the pun – and I probably would never hear again – pun intended!

There have been so many messages on social media and the out pouring of loss of Alan’s life and the love to Delwyn. What people on Social media have been saying about Alan really reflects himself and his personality and we can all relate here are just a few.
A legend.
A truly amazing man.
A man who truly made a difference.
A golden heart stopped beating.
Inspired many for strength and healing.
A Life fully lived.
A true legacy and inspiration.
He made a difference.
A victor of circumstances.
This man leaves a lasting impact on us all.

….”What a Man”….