Alan passed at the age of 71 on December 3rd ,2021
https://www.cantonrep.com/obituaries/pwoo0109258
https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/100241-allan-al-colombo-sdm-contributor-and-former-staff-member-dies-at-71
I first met Alan when he was writing for AID Alarm Industry Dealer magazine which became SS&I Security Sales & Installation where he authored articles under the synonym Albert Sloan and shared tips and ideas with him I ran into or developed in those early years to help other dealers some of my ideas which Alan featured in his articles he wrote including his book Kinks and Hints
.Before Alan became a legend in Publishing and Writing He was like all the rest of us small alarm dealers which he sold and then became a full time writer and journalist
He owned Interstate Alarm which he started in early 70s which was located in North East Ohio area and did a little bit of everything learning as he was going along just like I did when I started in late 70s
There where no schools and very few classes it was read the install manual and do it. motion sensors where very expensive and size of toaster and Silver Foil Tape was used everywhere.
Alan then moved on to SDM Magazine and He came into Pittsburgh in 80s
to one of my customers to learn about a new wiring technology I was
installing cat 5 wiring and token ring and he was interested in how
eventually computers would become integrated into Fire and Security work.
He was right the technology took off like a rocket and Alan always tried to present the best news on upcoming technology.
Many don't know but Alan helped bring Hik Vision Cameras into US Market and also Persuaded AES to open its Radio transmitters to public market at time they where only selling it to military.
He started a weekly News letter sent over the internet when most people where using Dial Up Modems and Prodigy and Compuserve ISP where the providers back then It was called Safety and Security which myself and many others contributed articles to and was read world wide.Al even back then was active in technology groups
I still get people who contact me to use those articles from 80s.
When the internet exploded in growth and web pages developed he started T Promo also known as Thunder Promotions and several web pages which I contributed articles to which Included the Giant Killers a controversial web site which questioned government activity's , Safety&Security news and even a web site full of veteran information for troops to provide help to them even thou he was not a veteran.
He also developed web pages for businesses and organizations
Alan was also a talented musician playing several different horns plus guitar and playing with different small groups at social occasions and clubs
Plus he was an Amateur Radio Operator like myself. I remember the day he showed me his new 6Meter radio which he was so proud of.
When Alan left SDM Magazine he became an Installation Manager for Abbott Electric a large Ohio Contractor .
While still working for Abbott I meet Alan for lunch one day after having gone thru stage 4 colon cancer and was recovering and had some free time at last as it took everything I had to drive from Pittsburgh to canton only 2 hours away and he drove me down to Gnaudehuten Oh. where I got to see My 5th Great uncle Moravian church named after him and see the Indian mound and the story of he day of shame in Ohio as it became known .
Since Alan was a musician and Moravian's are world renown known for their hymns and music they sgave him one of their music booklets which I know he cherished.
I also spoke at the local Rotary for him where he was a past president and Paul Harris Fellow and discussed all the hardships I went thru with cancer and trying to keep my business running during that time
Alan also worked for Secure Pro ? Security near Canton in a similar role and ended up after several years back into publishing . Doing piece meal work here and there for Lock Smith Ledger and others
and while doing this he married his 2nd wife Linda he he was school mates with and moved to Columbus Oh with her so they could both pursue their careers when Linda Retired they moved back to the Canton Area . Where Alan continued writing and maintain many Websites and Facebook groups including Giant Killer technology,
Alan and I would get together at the Canton McDonald's his favorite or local VFW Club or restaurant for lunch couple times a year to discuss articles we where working on it was always a good time and got to meet some of his friends ,We planned on meeting up in January and I will still stop at the McDonald's as an honor to him/.
The Security Industry will never be the same with out Alan and so many disregarded him and his contributions.
https://tpromothegiantkillers.blogspot.com/2022/01/welcome-to-kiant-killers-organazation.html
There is a Go Fund Me page to help with his funeral arrangements