Alan Poo-An Thio was born nearly 90 years ago in Jakarta, Indonesia. Even as a young boy he appeared to be an "old soul" and wise beyond his years. He had a voracious appetite for knowledge and devoured books. He had been known to literally bump into people while walking down the street reading books. His thirst for knowledge was unquenchable and he soaked up information like a sponge. He especially loved philosophy, Greek mythology, Aesop's fables and fairy tales. He was also an avid researcher of the great religions of the world. By college age he was fluent in English, Dutch and Indonesian. He was also able to read and write in German, French and Chinese.

His passion for reading made him an outstanding college student. He attended FIPIA (now ITB) the University of Indonesia in Bandung, Indonesia, where he earned BS and MS degrees in organic chemistry with minor studies in botany, zoology, physics, pharmacy, serology and clinical chemistry. Distractions from his studies were few, but he was very active in the Alpha Chi Sigma chemistry fraternity. The main distraction from his studies was in meeting and marrying the beautiful Tetty Liem.

Shortly after their marriage, Alan was awarded an I.C.A. scholarship for graduate study at the University of Kentucky. Alan and Tatty packed their suitcases and began their journey to America where they were treated like celebrities for being in the very first group of exchange students from Indonesia to the University of Kentucky, and for having the first recorded Asian baby born in Lexington, Kentucky. They appeared in the local newspaper, radio shows, and TV shows to share their story.

Despite the distractions of celebrity life, Alan focused on his studies and graduated among the top of his class from the University of Kentucky with a PhD in organic chemistry and minors in analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry. He was also a proud member of the American Chemical Society.

His passion for higher education led to an impressive 51 year career in academia with no sick days. From 1950 through 2001, Alan served various faculty, staff and administrative positions at ITB, the Hassanudin University Medical School and the University of Kentucky. In the early 60's, Alan was known as a wise, patient and kind Associate Chemistry Professor and senior lecturer at ITB who was willing to help any student in need. Ever practical, in 1974 Poo An and Tetty became naturalized U.S. citizens and changed their names to Alan Poo-An Thio and Tatty Hiang-Heng Thio for ease of pronunciation. From 1967 to 2001, Alan worked for the University of Kentucky in various roles: Post Doctoral Research Associate for the College of Pharmacy, as well as Senior Chemical Analyst, Regulatory Specialist and Laboratory Supervisor for the Division of Regulatory Services in the College of Agriculture.

He was a well-respected staff member and known for his friendliness and an unwavering dedication to precision work. Due to his wife's failing health, he retired in 2001 after 34 years at the University of Kentucky. If he had his choice, he would have continued doing research work in his lab until his dying day.

After retiring, Alan and Tatty moved to Irving, Texas, to live with their youngest daughter Susanti and her husband Joseph. After Tatty's death in 2005, Alan concentrated on improving his health. He attended the Mustang Park Recreation Center and discovered the joys of Tai Chi, water aerobics and Silver Sneakers classes.

He reconnected with Owen Tan (his best friend since high school), and they spent their days discovering the best Asian restaurants in the DFW area, visiting Half-Price Book Stores and singing karaoke. He also attended the Lighthouse Indonesian Church every Saturday to stay connected to the Chinese Indonesian community. His constant companion and soul mate was his granddog Jaeger, who was always up for a game of fetch, chase or a stroll around the neighborhood.

In 2009, Alan and family moved to Tomball, Texas, to live closer to his oldest daughter Amy. He loved the comforting rhythm of a daily routine.  He went to the YMCA five days a week and never missed a senior Pilates, water aerobics or Silver Sneakers class. His peaceful, accepting demeanor and big heart won him lifelong friends at the Y. His YMCA friends commented that he was such a good companion because he was such a good listener. He never cared to be in the limelight, but was instead content to listen to other people's stories. Despite his impressive educational background, he was modest and never bragged about his own accomplishments.

Besides exercising and socializing, he loved to bargain hunt at Kroger's, Aldi's, Sprouts Farmers Market and dollar stores. He never met a stranger, and was on a first name basis with everyone. He appreciated the simple things in life. He enjoyed having lunch with his daughter Amy every Saturday, and eating at Sweet Tomatoes with his daughter Santi once a week. He joined the Houston Indonesian American Seniors Association (HIASAN), and the MD Forum of retired Chinese Indonesian MD's in the US and Europe to further increase his circle of friends. He was a lifelong student and was researching how to improve his health to the very end.

Although the world may remember Alan for his many contributions to the scientific community, his family and friends will remember him for the way he made them feel special. He was fiercely loyal to his family and friends, never failed to call them on a weekly basis, sent customized calendars every Christmas, and regularly sent homemade and e-cards on everyone's birthday to ensure they knew that they were always in his heart.

With family by his side, Alan passed away peacefully at his Tomball, Texas, home before sunrise on December 23, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents, Teng Giok Thio and Kang Nio Oey; his brother Benyamin Budiman; and his wife Tatty Thio. He is survived by his daughters, Amy Thio-Thompson and her husband Bob Thompson, Susanti Lengfellner and her husband Joseph Lengfellner; grandson, Christopher Thompson; granddaughter, Ashley Thompson; great grandson, Sebastian Thompson; sisters, Srijeniarti, Juliani Budiman, Conny de Water-Budiman, Daisy Budiman; and brother, Irwan Budiman.

Until the very end, Alan always thought of everybody else's needs before his own. Knowing that his end was near, and fearing that a physical gathering would increase attendees' chances of contracting COVID-19, he requested that a virtual memorial be held. A virtual memorial will be held on his birthday, January 17, 2021, to celebrate his life. Friends and family are invited to leave comments, videos, photos, etc. The memorial website address (URL) will be posted here once the planning is completed.

"Until the very end, Alan always thought of everybody else's needs before his own. Knowing that his end was near, and fearing that a physical gathering would increase attendees' chances of contracting COVID-19, he requested that a virtual memorial be held. A virtual memorial will be held on his birthday, January 17, 2021, to celebrate his life. Friends and family are invited to leave comments, videos, photos, etc. The memorial website video address is https://youtu.be/ugCuDkXoo4M , and it is now ready for viewing."