Alan Harry Winkle, 80, Boise, died Dec. 27, 2025, at St. Alphonsus Hospital, Boise, due to complications after surgery. As he passed he was surrounded by family who loved him so much.

Alan was born July 18, 1945, in Kellogg Idaho to Addie and Chris Winkle. He graduated from Kellogg High School in 1963 and attended University of Idaho, Moscow, ID participating in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). He left to serve in the United States Army. Alan was stationed in Washington D.C. at the White House in the Communication Agency from 1966 to 1970. President Lyndon B. Johnson presented him with the Presidential Service Certificate in November, 1967. He received a Department of Defense Joint Service Commendation Medal in April 1970. 

While in Washington D.C., Alan met the love of his life, Maryann Aul. They were married in Pittsburgh, PA on May 10, 1969. In 1970 they traveled across country back to Alan’s home state camping along the way. It was on that trip that he taught Maryann to drive. Settling in Moscow at the U of I, Alan completed his degree in Business Administration.

Maryann and Alan moved to Boise in 1972 where he accepted a position with the State of Idaho Personnel Commission. Alan also worked for the City of Boise as Director of Personnel. In 1986 he was named Deputy Director of the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI). He was named PERSI’s Executive Director in 1988, a position from which he retired in 2008. Alan’s leadership was well regarded. He was described as a steadfast leader, positive force throughout the agency and known for always having his door open. 

Over the years, Alan served on several boards, including the Boise City Canal Company where he served as Chairman for 30 years. His service was recently recognized with a plaque on the head gate of the canal on the Boise River. Alan also served on the board for the Idaho Catholic Foundation and on the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise Finance Council.

Alan served his church as a Eucharistic minister and community through the St. John’s Cathedral Food Bank. One of Alan’s greatest joys was singing in St. John’s Cathedral Contemporary Choir for over 40 years.

Alan had a great love for his family and friends and especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed family dinners and gatherings with friends, and he often found time for personal, one-on-one conversations. He was a compassionate listener and a natural mentor and teacher.

His family and friends remember him as a positive, genuinely kind, affectionate man and a teaser. He had a silly, playful sense of humor and always loved a good dad joke. He had strong moral integrity, an analytical business mind and brought a calm, common sense approach to whatever he did. His children and friends agree that Alan will be remembered as smiling, having something positive to say and influencing others to find the good in the world.

Alan and Maryann planned and enjoyed many camping trips over the years in their RV with kids, grand kids and friends. They also explored God’s gifts of nature and culture through cruise adventures around the world.

Tinkering and fixing things around his home and for his children brought Alan a lot of satisfaction. He was a natural problem solver. If a friend mentioned a problem they were facing, Alan would happily do some research and get back to them with a possible solution. He loved putting together lists and planning agendas. His family and members of many organizations he belonged to often benefited.

Alan is survived by his beloved wife, Maryann; his sister, Gail; children: Andrea Braithwaite (Sam), Jessica Haberman (Jason), Allison Brandt (Kevin) and Christian Winkle (Nichole); grandchildren: Lisa, Alex and Meri, Sam, Sonja and Faith.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Accent Funeral and Cremation. A Funeral Mass will take place Jan. 16, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, 775 North 8th Street, Boise, ID at 11 a.m. Interment will take place in the summer at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery, Boise.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Alan’s name to St. John’s Food Bank, Corpus Christi Common or to the charity of your choice.