I’ve known Alan Blood for some time. I’ve always known him to be a good man. For over the past two and half years I’ve gotten a chance to get know Alan better. I’ve been his manager at FamilySearch for this time. We live close by and we carpool to work. Some days we sit on a train for over an hour and half each way. I can honestly say that Alan Blood is more than a good man, but one of the finest men I know. I’ve gotten to know his family, Michelle, Jenny, Lindsey, Alison, and Evan. I know that family means everything to Alan. Alan Blood also has a wonderful perspective on life. Just before I started at FamilySearch, Alan had finished battling breast cancer. One evening on the ride home on one of our long commutes on the train; we had in a discussion about life. We talked about fighting for every moment and breath of life. I asked him if he knew where he was going anyhow and had an eternal perspective, knowing life after death; when do you give up and turn the page and go one to the next step in your eternal progression? I’ll never forget what he told me. He said, “You never give up!” I then replied, “Why?” He then said something that will be burnt in my soul forever, “Life is a precious gift.”
Life is a precious gift. Alan understands this and lives his life to the fullest. There is something we always tease Alan with and it is the acronym, “YOLO” which means: “You only live once.” We’d be on some business trips and by saying this acronym to Alan you could get him to do anything. Well that is anything that does not compromise his high level of integrity and doing something that would shame his family name.
Alan is also one of the most creative and brilliant people I know. Alan works as a User Experience Manager. He leads one of the most creative teams I’ve ever worked with. Alan played a big part in building this team to where it is now. Alan has an eye for design, and has a way of designing to bless the lives of others. Alan is someone that any of our UX designers can trust to bring designs to be reviewed. Alan gives honest feedback and does it in a way that is very receptive. Alan’s true love is in writing though. He is in my mind, an accomplished science fiction author. Last year Alan self published his first science fiction novel called “Rocket Handbook.” I was amazed at the amount of research that went in writing this book. Alan is one of those people who have this abundant amount of knowledge in his head. I can ask him any random question about any random thing and over half of the time he has information about the subject. Alan is famous for his iPhone playlist. He loves music of all varieties. He likes listening to movie soundtracks and marvels at the creativity and talent that goes into composing some of the masterpieces.
I can always count on Alan. Whenever I give him a task to accomplished, he does it and then goes the extra mile to make sure it is done well and done better than what I imagine it to be done. I’d recommend Alan for his character, his work ethic, his ability to work with others, and his love for life. I consider Alan a true friend.
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