In Memoriam

Alan S. Rapoport

Obituary

Alan Samuel Rapoport was born on December 17, 1942 and died on May 18, 2021.

He was the son of Lester and Esther Rapoport (née Blayman). As a youngster, he traveled the world with his family — his father was a Fulbright Scholar — where he gained a broad and diverse education. He later attended Hall High School in West Harford, CT, Yale University, and Washington University School of Law.

Unlike so many who choose a law degree for personal gain, Alan used his legal career to better society and help those whose lives he touched. Alan’s first job in Western Michigan began in April 1969. He worked for Legal Aid of Western Michigan, working in Muskegon representing the poor who had no money to hire an attorney. He spent several years in Washington D.C. where he was appointed to the U.S. National Legal Aid Commission, working hard to promulgate change in the legal-aid system that would benefit poor Americans.

Returning to Michigan, Alan served as prosecuting attorney in Newaygo, Michigan. He then finished his career in private practice, where he specialized in representing abused children and women. He was noted for his work on a 60 Minutes television episode.

Alan was an avid golfer, enjoying the game whenever possible.

He was a great friend to many and will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his brother, Richard Rapoport (Jennifer Filla), niece Katherine Rapoport (Emily Wills), and two grand-nephews, Xander and Joshua, as well as many other friends and family.

Memorial donations to Legal Aid of Western Michigan are welcome.

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Essay, 50th Reunion Book

by Alan Rapoport

May 2014

After law school, I spent the next seven years in service as first a legal aid lawyer, then a public defender and finally a year in D.C. I did family law and criminal defense for the next thirteen years in private practice, followed by five as assistant prosecutor in a small neighboring county. Since, I have continued there doing part time public defense in the juvenile court, representing children and parents in neglect/abuse and delinquency cases.

The other six days, weather permitting, will likely find me on the golf course, still striving to escape mediocrity, although I did get to celebrate my first hole-in-one about a month ago.

Briefly married during law school, I have intermittently retained my independence ever since. I have a five-year-old grandnephew, who is, of course, the smartest, most handsome kid in the world. Yale Class of 2025.

My front yard is on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, from which I have watched the sunsets and lived a reasonably contented life for the last 36 years.