Alan Keith Short, 70, of Port Charlotte, Florida, passed away in Port Charlotte on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

Born on June 30, 1954, in Dearborn, Michigan, Alan was the third son of the late Bessie Short and Earl Short. His older brothers were Arthur Short and Michael Short. Alan grew up in the house his father built in Lincoln Park, Michigan.

Alan Short was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan. He especially enjoyed Michigan football and basketball. Go Blue! At Michigan, Alan studied French, Philosophy and Accounting. While at university, Alan met his lifelong friends James Hudler and Art Gulik. Also, he spent a fondly remembered study semester abroad  in Paris.

In addition to Michigan sports, his interests included cats, computers, coffee, classical music, Bob Dylan, travelling, reading science fiction, and playing pickup basketball.

After moving to Fort Lauderdale, Alan met and married Helen Beale. They had a son named Robert Edward Keith Short. When he joined the Beale family, Alan acquired five new brothers Dave, John, Phil, William, and Charlie Beale. He also had three new sisters, Louise, Mary and Roseanne Beale.

Alan was a quiet, attentive and kind husband and father. Also, he was brilliant, curious, playful and had a great sense of humor. In addition to being Robert’s Dad, he was a foster father to many cats throughout his lifetime.

Alan’s work career was long and varied. During college, he worked summers in a steel mill and taught ballroom dancing. After college, he worked at Oldsmobile and a childcare not- for- profit. In the early eighties, Alan moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and worked in accounting for the City of Fort Lauderdale and the Broward Sheriff’s office. Finally, Alan was Finance Officer for the Town of Bay Harbor Islands for more than twenty years. At Bay Harbor Islands he was a founding member of “The Lunch Club”. He also found lifelong friends in J.C. Jimenez and Ron Wasson.  In 2018, Alan retired and moved to Port Charlotte, Florida.

A beloved husband and father, he is survived by his wife Helen Short, son Robert Short, nieces Marie Lynn Hilton, Nancy Jean Beals, Lisa Ann Claud, Abby Beals and Kamikaze Lorraine McClain, nephews Michael Short, Michael Claud, Terrance Alan Keith Brewer, Christopher Michael Hosmer Wren, Timmy Beals, Kevin Beals, and Calvin Hilton. In addition to his parents, Alan was preceded in death by his brothers Arthur and Michael, a niece, Mary Anne Short, and brother-in-law, William Beale.

A visitation-gathering will be held from 2 to 4 PM this Sunday, February 16, 2025, and a Memorial Service celebrating Alan’s life a will follow on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 4 PM. Both will be held at Roberson Funeral Home located at 2151 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte.  A private inurnment will be held at Restawn Memorial Gardens cemetery also in Port Charlotte.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel.