Alan Roy

Harding

Alan Roy Harding, born April 10, 1943, died peacefully on November 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Alan was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, friendliness, and passion for all things aviation.

Alan was an instrument-rated private pilot with over 5,000 hours of flight time, mostly in a 1954 Piper Tri-Pacer. He was a dedicated member of the aviation community, having served as president of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 9 for over a decade. He was proud to be a lifetime member of EAA (#37447). He loved sharing stories of his flying adventures, particularly ferrying a Piper Warrior across the Pacific Ocean from California to Australia.

Alan also ran a photography studio for many years, taking thousands of school and wedding photographs. His work also appeared in national magazines. He loved tinkering with his Hasselblad cameras and working in the darkroom.

Alan had a way of making life a little more fun for everyone around him. He was easygoing, quick to smile, and never missed an opportunity for a witty remark or sarcastic comment. He rarely took life too seriously, and his lighthearted spirit and cheerful outlook will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Alan is survived by his wife, Lalah; his children, David Alan (Kirsten Andersen) Harding, Mary Ann Harding, and Kenneth Howard (Valerie) Harding; his grandchildren, Frederik Augustus Harding, Alan Peter Harding, and Leona Kate Harding; and his sisters, Margaret Alice (Stan Halpin) Harding and Katharine Eva (the late Bill Plate) Harding. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Gordon and Virginia Edith (Clark) Harding.

As Alan himself recently reflected, “I've had a wonderful life.”

A funeral service will be held on November 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Chapel B at Union Cemetery, 3349 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43202. A lunch reception will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Residence Inn by Marriott Columbus OSU, 3100 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43202. Family and friends are invited to gather to remember and celebrate his life.