You may have seen him cruise around town in his coppery-orange 57 Chevy Bel Air. Or rock-and-rolled with him to ’50s and ’60s greatest hits at Hobey Baker’s on Hollister back in the day.
If you were his neighbor near Evergreen Park, you and he probably traded jokes and opinions, maybe a cigarette, admired the good weather, talked about your kids, or simply sat in comfortable silence on plastic chairs in front of his perpetually open garage door.
Alan Michael Gurse, 84, a longtime Goleta resident, died peacefully in his sleep at Mission Villa Memory Care on Aug. 31, 2025, after being diagnosed in 2022 with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
Gurse is loved and missed by his daughter Yael Gurse; son Ron Gurse; three grandchildren Justine, Jake, and Ryan Gurse; daughter-in-law Alicia Gurse; and two sisters Cher Gurse and Robin Gurse Dennis, as well as cousins Beverley Marmor and her sons Greg and Randall Rostoker. Family in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois and Canada also fondly remember Alan.
Born in Hollywood, California on Aug. 14, 1941 to Billie and Morry Gurse, Alan grew up in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles.
He was known for his sense of humor, his quiet demeanor, ability to fix anything, and an extensive music collection from classical to ballads to Western and a large rock and roll selection. He even played the accordion and piano in his younger years.
As a young man Alan worked for Boeing, JPL, and Santa Barbara Research, all of which sparked in him an enduring passion for aeronautics and outer space.
He worked for more than 20 years as an electrical specialist at General Motors Defense Research Laboratories (later Delco) where he contributed to constructing one of the Lunar Roving Vehicles deployed for Apollo travel to the moon. He was honored to be sent to Florida to witness the launch of the space vehicle he had worked on.
Alan was a proud American and patriot, especially pleased to be part of his country’s space explorations.
After early retirement, he started a business called I’m Game, fixing and placing pinball games and jukeboxes in local bowling alleys, bars, restaurants and fraternities.
He made good friends in the Chevy Club, where he served as secretary. During his years as a member of the Elks Lodge, he supported community programs dedicated to youth and safety.
Alan had several great loves in his lifetime and dear friends who spanned decades. Not one to easily share feelings with words, he nevertheless conveyed his love, care and appreciation for his kids and sisters, and he knew how much we loved him.
Alan’s family is grateful for the compassionate and skillful care he received — at first, in his home, next at Pacifica/SB Memory Care, then at Mission Villa.
Celia Leyva brought him yummy homemade meals and got him out of the house for walks. Robin Weiler sang Sinatra and Dion and “got” his sense of humor. Lisa Gerr and Emily Gerr understood and looked out for his needs, and the entire crew at MV were awesome in every way.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a rare brain disease, currently with no cure. Alan agreed to participate as a subject in vital research seeking a cure. If you would like to help ease the trauma of CJD, you may contribute to research, education, and family support by donating to the National CJD Foundation.
To all friends of Alan, we’d be happy to see you at a small gathering to share stories and memories which will take place in January. If you’d like to join us, please email Alan’s daughter Yael at ygtravel10@gmail.com so she may let you know when and where.
In the meantime, please look up at the evening sky and think of Alan.