Charles Andrew McAlear

Charles “Andrew” McAlear, 87, of South Haven, died Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at his home. He was under Hospice care. He was born April 22, 1931 to Charles and Margaret (Ray) McAlear in Bay City, Michigan. He married Robin Gross on April 27, 1963, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Monroe, MI.

He honorably served his country as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War. He learned Chinese at the  Army Language School in Monterrey, CA, before being deployed to Korea.  He later earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Michigan. He worked as a CPCU in the insurance industry until his eventual retirement in 1987.  In 1970  he founded McAlear Associates, a wholesale insurance brokerage firm, in Grand Rapids.  In 1975 he was a founder of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO).  In 1994 he became a charter member of the Michigan Insurance Hall of Fame.  He is the author of two books,   “The Foundering Ark” and “Reappraising China Redefining Literacy.”

In 1987 he and his wife moved to New Orleans for 18 years.  They returned to Michigan and settled in South Haven in 2005.

Andrew lived well and had many interests.  He was a voracious reader, starting every day with three newspapers.  He loved traveling the world with Robin, old movies that reminded him of when he was a boy, Japanese food, cool cars, his brothers and sisters, and his kids. He was endlessly curious about the world and a great conversationalist and letter writer.  He is missed already by those he leaves behind.

Andrew is preceded in death, along with his parents, by a brother – Edward McAlear. 
He is survived by his wife.  children – A.J.  McAlear and Beth McAlear both of New Orleans, Louisiana and Robert (Catherine Milian) McAlear of Sachse, Texas;  siblings – Bob (Cindy) McAlear of South Haven, and Margaret Mosher, John McAlear, and Rosellen McAlear all of Flushing, Michigan, and grandchildren – Cecilia McAlear, Charles Cusac, Liam McAlear, Roma McAlear, Enzo Osores, Natalia Osores, and Zoe Milian.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. Memorial services will begin at 4:00 PM at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Andrew’s memory to the Lake Michigan College Foundation--with a memo --Seed of Hope Scholarship.