Alan (Al) Bruce Trapp was the first baby born in Alpena County in 1948. He was born to Elmer August Trapp and Rosemary Virginia (Carter) Trapp. He was the oldest of four children. His earliest memories included: learning and loving to read, sleeping on the floor behind the wood burning stove waiting for Santa, and family reunions. His best subjects in school were history and mechanical drawing. His first work growing up was on nearby farms. With his first paycheck from picking potatoes, he bought the family’s first phonograph. He attended St. Michael’s Lutheran School, across the street from the home he grew up at in Roger’s City, MI. Al attended Alpena Community College and Grand Valley State University. He loved history. Although he grew up in church, he became a Christian on August 22, 1970. He said it was on this day that his faith became more personal, and that his life changed. He had said that when he prayed, he pictured God as a friend that he couldn’t see but could talk to anytime. He met Betty Alice (Gates) Trapp shortly after becoming a Christian. His first impression of her was of her quiet, friendly spirit. He fell in love with her because of her love for the Lord, and “she seemed to like me even though I wasn’t the coolest dude in town”. He said that he always loved her love for the Lord, her family, and friends. He gave her a ring that he got out of a vending machine and asked her to marry him. She said yes, and they were married 37 years, until she passed away in 2009. Al is survived by a son, Nathan Trapp, daughter, Melanie (Jonathan) Vallejo, grandchildren Emma (6) and Benjamin (4) Vallejo, his brother Kevin Trapp, and sisters Marilyn (Dan) Hyatt and Carolyn Moriarity. His family will miss his “Dad jokes”, his faithful card sending, birthday and holiday celebrating. He loved his community – he was involved with Holland Chamber of Commerce and home school basketball to name a few. His favorite community of all was his beloved church family, Calvary Baptist Church in Holland, MI. One of his last and much enjoyed ministries was “coffee ministry” at his church on Sunday mornings. He also loved being part of the AWANA kids program for 35 years. He also enjoyed visiting seniors/shut-ins from church, mowing lawns, Camp Rock, to name a few of his ministry interests. He enjoyed his neighbors on Elm Lane, where he lived for the last almost 40 years. For work, he worked the majority of the time as a delivery man with different jobs, with the longest being with Lemon Fresh, a uniform company. During college summers, he also worked on big boats on the Great Lakes. When Al was interested in something, he studied and knew that interest thoroughly. Whether it was the Bible, 60s music, his homemade hot relish, or Route 66 – he was thorough. And, he loved talking about his favorite things! With his love of people and conversation, it was difficult to stay a stranger around him. His favorite verse was Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”. (ESV) We would like to extend our deepest thanks to Holland Hospital, Select Hospital, and especially to the staff at Medilodge of Holland and Hospice staff for their compassionate care over the past 7 months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church of Holland for AWANA/Coffee ministry or Hospice of Holland. A memorial service to celebrate Al Trapp’s life will be on Tuesday, October 22 at 10:30 am at Calvary Baptist Church at 517 W. 32nd St. Holland, MI 49423.
