Alan Scott Lundy
November 14, 1950 ~ July 7, 2021
Alan Scott Lundy, 70, of Vermillion, passed away on July 7, 2021, after a slow battle with multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and dementia.
Visitation will be 11:30, July 13 2021, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon. Funeral Services will begin at 1PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
Alan was born on November 14, 1950, to Andrew Mandus and Edna Joy (Searles) Lundy in Sioux Falls. As a child, he lived with his family in Gettysburg, Pierre, Powers, OR, and Rapid City, spending many summers in Mount Vernon and Sioux Falls. After graduating from Rapid City High School in 1968, he went on to study at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the University of South Dakota.
After a few years of college, a summer spent with the George McGovern presidential campaign, some odd jobs at a grocery store he attempted to unionize, a taconite mine in Silver Bay, MN, and as a taxi cab driver, Alan began a career in radio news. He worked at radio stations in Sioux City, Iowa, Yankton, and Brookings before reaching the pinnacle of his career as a news producer for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He enjoyed many years of bringing the news of the state government to the people of South Dakota. He had the opportunity to interview former Vice President Dan Quayle and several US Senators. He also enjoyed a conflict or two with former governor Bill Janklow. He later worked for newspapers and radio stations in Pierre, Mitchell, Yankton, Brookings, and Madison.
Alan was also a passionate amateur (ham) radio operator for over 50 years. He enjoyed the hobby, opportunities for community service, and many friendships.
In 1979, he met Laurel Mouw. They married in 1980 and had one child, David.
Alan lost both of his parents at a young age but had a variety of parent figures throughout his life including his brothers, Laurel-his wife of 18 years, many good friends, the church family at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brookings and the community of Madison.
He is survived by his son, David, and daughter-in-law, Katie, and their children, Awstyn and Cohen, of Sioux Falls; a brother, Paul Lundy, of Ames, IA, and his family; plus many friends and two grand-puppies, Edna Mode and Steven Mandus.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Annamae Riff Lundy; and his brother, Richard.
Rest in peace, Al, you were a first-rate reporter.
I knew Al when he worked in Madison at KJAM radio. He had a great radio voice and was a true radio personality. Despite his health issues he did fine work in the news business. My sympathy goes to his family and many friends. His life and work was a blessing. Gene Hexom, former Mayor of the City of Madison, SD.
Al, you were a great personality and an endless well of improbable stories. May you rest in peace, and job well done!
When I was a student at South Dakota State University, Al Lundy called me especially early one morning asking to record a radio interview for a breaking news story on higher education. Al had interviewed me before and knew from the sleepiness in my voice I could have used extra time to be fully awake at that hour.
Al sensed an important story though; he wanted details on the air immediately. So with his prodding, I quickly drank a little water and we recorded.
As I walked around campus that morning, friends talked with me about the news. They also made fun of me after listening to my grogginess. The teasing grew after each half hour.
Then the laughter stopped as quickly as it had started. That’s because Al was back on the phone with me by mid-morning, asking for more news about a rapidly changing story and recording yet another update.
Fortunately for Al Lundy’s listeners — and for me — his high standards meant his audience heard only the very latest.
Al has been a good friend going back more than 40 years when we cut our broadcasting teeth together at KUSD in Vermillion. I will miss his endless supply of stories! Rest in peace, my friend.
I haven’t seen Alan since we were juniors at Powers High School in Oregon. We called him “Bruiser” because he could inflict some pain on the football field. He was also on several basketball teams that came in first in state competition. I am sorry to hear of his death. It was good to read about his life and the influence he was had on others. Best wishes for his family during this time