Alan E. Fairbanks

July 15, 1936 – August 19, 2025

Alan E. Fairbanks, 89, of Abingdon, Virginia, passed away on August 19th, 2025. Born on July 15, 1936, in Syracuse, New York, Mr. Fairbanks grew up in Geneva, New York. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marion Lyon, and stepfather, Dr. Ray Lyon; father, Marvin Fairbanks, and stepmother, Helen Fairbanks; and a brother, Dr. David Fairbanks.

Alan graduated from the University of Kentucky, where he was valedictorian of his engineering class, earned a prestigious NASA fellowship, and actively worked on NASA’s Mercury Missions that preceded the Apollo moonshot. He also graduated from Alfred State University with his master’s degree.  He was a lifelong UK Wildcats fan.

Growing up, Alan was an avid athlete and became very involved in motor racing at an early age. Over the years, he raced speedboats on Seneca Lake, dirt-track cars, rally racing cars, drag racing cars, and motorcycles. He was the track champion at the Bristol Dragway in the motorcycle division in 1997 and the street class car division in 1999.  Alan also held a private pilot’s license and was an avid motorcycle rider.  

In his professional life, Alan had a successful career as a mechanical engineer working mainly in the aeronautical industry with Pratt & Whitney Jet Engines, General Electric, and Sikorsky Helicopter, among others. He successfully launched a second career in the 1970s, when he transitioned to higher education and founded the engineering program at Virginia Highlands Community College. He led the engineering program and taught engineering and math classes for over thirty years, impacting the lives of many students in the region. He absolutely loved teaching and all the students who came through his classroom over the years. 

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of almost 59 years, Judy Forrest Fairbanks; his two children, Danielle Fairbanks of Abingdon and Ken Fairbanks and his wife, Beth of Abingdon. Alan had five grandsons that he loved very much: Spencer Fairbanks, Dakota Boggs, Jonathan Fairbanks, Ian Boggs, and Noah Boggs. 

Mr. Fairbanks requested that there be no funeral or visitation. Mr. Fairbanks was a devout Catholic who cherished his time serving with the Knights of Columbus. There will be a private prayer offering with immediate family and members of the Knights of Columbus from Christ the King Catholic Church in Abingdon.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alan E. Fairbanks Engineering Scholarship Fund at Virginia Highlands Community College. Donations may be made to this fund via the VHCC Foundation at P.O. Box 828, Abingdon, VA 24211 or www.vhcc.edu/give-vhcc.

Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Alan E. Fairbanks.