Alvan Zarate

Alvan (Al) Zarate died unexpectedly on August 27, 2015 at Washington Hospital Center of complications from treatment for pancreatitis. He was 78. Up until the day before he went in the hospital, Al was enjoying life to the fullest. Al retired from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in 2009 after 30 years of service. As NCHS' Confidentiality Officer, he was dedicated to protecting the confidentiality of NCHS survey respondents. In 2008, Al was elected as a Fellow of the American Statistical Association ---one of his proudest moments. In 2009, he received the NCHS Program Mission Support Award, for his leadership in the field of data privacy and confidentially. The impact of his work was felt across the nation's Federal statistical systems. Al earned a Ph.D. from Brown University in 1967 and taught sociology/demography at the University of Texas, Tulane, and Ohio State before joining NCHS in 1978. He was director of NCHS's Office of International Statistics for many years before becoming Confidentiality Officer. Al was also a talented musician who loved to play the guitar and sing---which he often did at NCHS. In the last several years, he sang with the Bowie Senior Chorale and was a member its smaller traveling group, the Choraleers, who did special performances throughout the Bowie community. Most recently had been performing with the Senior Singing Sensations (Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission) and the Show Stoppers (Anne Arundel County), entertaining older adults at senior living locations. He loved the performing and he loved the community. Al was always happy when he had a guitar in his hand. The day after he went in the hospital on Aug 13th, he asked Charlotte to bring his guitar to prepare for a 50-year wedding anniversary celebration for friends (and the doctor said it was a great idea!) but his health declined too rapidly to carry through with the plan. In addition to his music, Al was devoted to his dogs (Molly and Freddy) and cats (Teddy and Annie) and newly acquired rescue cats (Mei-Tu, Yu-Tu, and Sissy). He also spent many happy hours tending his garden and his aquariums and running and walking the dogs. Al was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for many years and was an active member of another spiritual fellowship. He had many wonderful, lasting friendships from both. He often quoted the portions of Desiderata and the Prayer of Saint Francis and in his final days, said he was at peace with this life and credited these spiritual principles. Al leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Charlotte, and their two daughters, Liz and Kathryn (Spencer), who miss him dearly. He also will be held in memory by his children from his previous marriages----Steve, Jeff, Jason (Kathy), and their mother (Lee), and Aaron (Heather), and Aviva (Bruno), and their mother (Alicia), and four treasured grandchildren---Sebastian, Braulio, Camila, and Luana. He is also survived by his older brother Albert and his wife, Maria, and a host of other relatives and friends. Al's often said that, when his time came, he wanted there be a joyous celebration with singing and story-telling. We are going to do our best to make that come true. Kathryn and Spencer will be married on Sept 7th and we will celebrate Al's life upon their return from their honeymoon. Our family wants to express our deep appreciation for the incredible love and support extended to us during this most difficult time. For anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in Al's memory, below are few charities that he supported. However, any cause that is meaningful to the giver will honor Al's memory just as much. K-9 Lifesavers http://k-9lifesavers.org/ To support the work of an incredible team of compassionate folks who work tirelessly to find forever homes for homeless dogs from across the southeast United States---and who gave us Molly and Freddy. Neiman-Pick Foundation http://www.nnpdf.org/ To support a young friend who is courageously battling this awful childhood disease. ALS Association http://www.alsa.org/ To remember friends who faced this life-ending disease with amazing spirit and grace. Bowie Citizens for Local Animal Welfare (CLAW) http://www.bowieclaw.org/ A group dedicated to helping animals in our local community. Al played Santa for them.