Saturday October 12th
12:30 – 3:30
At the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. 6401 Freedom Blvd. in Aptos. Bring stories, jokes, items for a memorial table, food to share, or just yourself. Alan’s memoir about growing up in New York will be available at the event.
You can see photos spanning Alan’s 73 years here.
If you’d like to leave a remembrance here, you can do so through the comment box at the bottom of the page. We know Alan meant a lot to a great many people, and his family would love to hear from you. 💗
Alan Herbert Saxon was born in New York City, Oct. 19th, 1945. Alan was born to Mollie Saxon (née Kershner), a follies dancer, and David Saxon (née Slavetsky), a Vaudeville comedian. Alan’s grandparents were Jewish refugees from Ukraine and Belarus, and he lived in a neighborhood called “Little Ukraine”, also known as St. Mark’s Place. His mother died when Alan was eight years old. He lived in four different foster homes in Queens and Long Island until he was fourteen, when he returned to live with his father. As a teenager, he managed the famous Gems Spa corner store.
At the age of nineteen, he hitch-hiked to Berkeley with thirty dollars to his name. There he participated in the wild and vibrant counter-culture movement which he would tell hilarious and irreverent stories about for the rest of his life. He heard a call to become a healer, and moved to Los Angeles with Kitty Coats, who would become his first wife. Alan went to chiropractic school and was especially excited to practice the Sacral Occipital Technique. Alan and Kitty married and moved back to Berkeley where they had their first two kids, Elijah and Levana. Alan had a chiropractic practice, and as a lifelong learner, he continued his studies and became an expert in Ortho-Bionomy and homeopathy.
In 1979, Alan moved with his family to Santa Cruz County where his third child, Isaiah, was born. He had a healing practice and taught countless students in Ortho-Bionomy and the Sacral Occipital Technique. He was the president of the U.S. Society of Ortho-Biononomy, and the secretary of SORSI, the Sacro Occipital Research Society International. He was one of the longest practicing homeopaths in California, and had some patients for over thirty years. He was proud to be one of the co-founders of the Peace and Freedom Party.
He and Kitty divorced in 1989, and he married Marsha Marazon in 1998 and moved to Ohio for most of a decade. In 2008, he returned to Santa Cruz, newly divorced. Alan lived the rest of his days in Aptos, until he suffered a heart attack at his chiropractic office on September 12th, 2019.
Alan was a passionate person who adored classical music, being in nature, the art of healing, playing chess, reading history, Jewish cooking, and the search for extraterrestrial life. In the last years of his life, Alan wrote a lot. He worked on an autobiography, developed a screenplay about the life of composer Johann Sebastian Bach, and, after extensive research, wrote his own version of the Bible. Alan was known for his big personality and his ability to bring a smile (or sometimes a groan) with the many puns and jokes he loved to share. Alan is survived by his three adult children, Elijah Sparrow, Levana Saxon, and Isaiah Saxon, and by his three adorable grandchildren, Lyra, Judah and Aya.
Comments
I adored Alan Saxon. He was my healer and my friend for the past 23 years. I always looked forward to our appointments, not only for the amazing results, but also for the laughter and stimulating conversations about all things in life…baseball, politics, business, you name it. His passion was infectious.
I am going to miss him beyond words. The day he died, I was in the office, waiting for our appointment. I was so looking forward to sharing more jokes and talking about my upcoming trip to the east coast to see the SF Giants play the Boston Red Sox. He never came to the waiting area to get me. I will always regret that he was so near, making his transition, and that I didn’t get to say goodbye. My only consolation is knowing that he sailed to the other side swiftly and is now experiencing a new life and a new adventure that is bringing him so much joy and wonder. I think of him every single day. I love you Alan..and some day will see you again on the other side. Rest In Peace dear one. You were a gift!
OMG is makes me so sad to hear this news. Alan was my chiropractor, homeopath and friend for many years. He took care of me during my last two pregnancies and my boys are now 29 and 32 . I was unaware that he had moved back from Ohio.
We had so much fun together. We went to dinners and symphonies together. He loved music and shared Bach’s Chaconne with me. ( I will never forget that piece of music). I remember a hike we took to Big Basin (the three water falls) when he got his new camera that he was taking to Costa Rica. He asked me to bring the lunch and he would bring everything else. Well he took so many pictures and before we realized we were in Big Basin with no flashlight hiking back in the dark. We were counting on our intuition in the last half hour to get us back to the car. He felt so bad and went out of his way to make it better. I will miss him! He has always been a bright spark, wonderful friend very gifted healer in my life.
May you walk into the Light with the Angels Alan.
Alan was our dearest friend. We loved him. We love him. We miss him.
I have written an essay, TO ALAN, MY FRIEND, which encompasses our morning together in Nisene Marks Forest on the day of his death. You can read it on my blog at metaphysicalforcesinplay.blogspot.com
I am shocked to hear about Alan. I was thinking of him strongly earlier today and had a rush of memories, and thought about giving him a call…
Alan was a mentor to me since about 1996. I was early in my massage practice, but already establishing myself as a sports massage therapist. I remember I attended his Friday night “freebie” explanation about Ortho-Bionomy and I thought he was crazy—it didn’t coordinate with any of my training. I had a recent breakup and basically took Alan’s workshop because it was an inexpensive place to stay out in the country. After he some crazy concepts on Friday, I thought I’d honor him with at least attending his morning class before taking off for the woods, the creek, and the hot tub. As soon as I put my hands on the person receiving and felt the gentle, effortless shift in the healing, my world changed. I have now been an O-B practitioner for over 20 years. Because of his wonderful teaching (I took all of his classes 5 times!!) I have helped thousands, from babies to hospice patients… Thank you, Alan Saxon, you have been a great teacher to me professionally, and my kind and quirky friend. God bless you and your family❣️
Alan Saxon and I were in a relationship then partners in healing spirituality for 2009 through 2012 in the little mountain top farm house and apple orchard. We used to take long walks around the Bird Sanctuary by Moss Landing. It was amazing and wonderful to be around Alan and his incredible mind. He gave me many treatments no charge and taught me a lot psychologically from his EST Trainer Training. We used to have these long talks about Philosophy and the World History he was memorizing book by book. He had a very generous spirit and warm heart and I always felt safe in his hands with Orthobionomy, Chiropractic and Homeopathy. He is always in my heart and I love him still.
Bless and heal his family’s heart at this time of loss. I know he is still watching over us and teaching classes in the upper realms with great success and joke telling.
To Alan’s Memory and Divine Blessings Always.
A unique and wonderful person, whose concepts and ideas enriched the lives of many. He shall be remembered with fondness.
Alan was the first chiropractor I worked for after graduating from Medical Assisting School. I was fresh off the boat so to speak had never been to a chiropractor and infact wasn’t sure I didn’t agree that they did hocus pocus. But I was soon to have my world rocked.
Working for Alan back in the mid-70″s changed my life forever. He was radical in his approach to healing and tried so many new things.
I was there when Arthur Pauls came from England to show Alan Orthobiomy and experienced some of the first hands-on and off sessions Arthur did. While working as the front and back office assistant I was fortunate to receive free sessions of cranial sacral work and SOT. I learned about alternative healing from Alan and met Kitty later and introduced her to her spiritual family at that time
and we have stayed friends over the years.
When they moved to Santa Cruz I not only lost a job with an amazing healer but also a friend and chiropractor. It has been because of my experiences with Alan that I studied holistic health modalities for my own health and well being. I learned so many things while working in his office in Albany that I will never forget.
I was so sorry to hear that he had transitioned but I know he well and onto his next big adventure.
Love to all,
Luminessa
I am so sorry that I will not be able to attend Alan’s memorial services.
As the person who first introduced homeopathy to Alan, I have fond memories of his passion for homeopathic medicine! Like me, he was smitten by this science and art of art. Like me, he saw miracles from this treatment on a regular basis. Although no homeopath is able to help everyone, there is enough frequency to these dramatic results that Alan (and I) regularly expect miracles with virtually every patient.
And being a homeopath is synonmous with having a LOVE for books. Books are real and practical tools for helping people. And books bring to life the “bodymind” characteristics that each person embodies.
Alan was always a sweet gentleman, a curious human being, and a positive force of nature.
Hello Dana,
It was Alan Saxon that introduced me to homeopathy in 2002. Alan was an excellent teacher and mentor. He also made me an enthusiastic OB practicioner. I will greatly miss him
Alan was a truly humane being, I met him 1st as a chiropractor when I was ‘dropped’ on my head in a dance concert’ He eased my owie and became a friend. I also stayed friends with Kitty and the ‘kids’.. I sometimes worked on him also as my gram taught me healing arts of massage!
Alan was my chiropractor for over 30 years, and of course, over that amount of time it was only natural that we became close friends. I loved talking sports, politics and religion with him, we could talk openly about all issues because our views were so closely aligned. I was shocked to hear Alan had shed his mortal coil, he was doing so well, losing the weight and generally taking better care of himself. I will see you again soon dear friend, just not too soon.
Very sad to hear this, I met Alan in 1978 in San Francisco when I was 10 years old while on holidays with my family. Alan had met my father, Arthur Lincoln Pauls a few years earlier and was taking classes in Ortho Bionomy with him.
He’s probably doing OB with my Dad up in heaven right now 🙂 RIP.
Harreson
Thank you Alan for all you did for our family over the years. Your joyful positive encouraging and life-affirming presence was wonderful to be around. Thank you for being a wonderful, true friend to our son. Thank you for having a house full of art, music and literature. Thank you for your sincere interest in healing. Thank you for being so kind to our dog Cleo when we were away, for taking her on walks, and being concerned about her health. Thank you for always being ready with a compliment. Thank you for watching sports with another of our sons. Thank you for your patience, humility and charm, and above all your compassion and humor. You were truly a true human being. We regret not being able to do as much for you as you did for us. Please visit us in our dreams. We hope to learn from your life, little by little.
Sincerely, the Hack Family – Beth, Wyn, Bryce, Brett, Gabriel, and Miles. You were kind to us all! x0x0x0x
Thank you for the beautiful basket/bouquet of flowers that you brought to the memorial service. I didn’t realize who brought until I found the little card with your names inside. That was kind and thoughtful of you.
Isaiah,
Sara Sunstein let me know of your dad’s passing. What beautiful tributes have been written about him. That should fill your family with joy to hear how much he meant to people. It reminds me of David Brooks talking about living eulogy virtues instead of resume virtues. It isn’t the skills he brought to humanity, although I’m sure they are many, it is the goodness, tenderness, and love he brought to humanity. It is clear your dad lived the eulogy virtues.
I met your dad in 1994 when I was attending my first Ortho-Bionomy Instructor training in Berkley. He and Tonia Bedford taught a Basic in the middle of the ITS. I learned many wonderful techniques from him that I use in almost every session. And some very specialized ones that are perfect for just the right time.
He also presented at the SOBI conference in Gulf Port (I think) and did his famous phone call instruction to relieve SI joint pain. I can still see him walking around the room with his “finger and thumb” phone to his ear, being careful not to look at the person on the table following his directions. It’s was classic! I think he did take a peak every now and then just to make sure they were following his directions.
I want to let you know that we sent SOBI membership an email blast of your write up for his memorial. I thought that would be the best way to let our members know of his passing.
Your journey is blessed Alan. Thanks for giving me a job in your Chiropractic office when my son was young. You tagged my homeopathic constitutional right away! Phosphorus.
May the star that you are shine brighter than ever, and may your love, liberated and expanded from the confines of earthly life, be felt by those who love and miss you. Until we meet again.
I knew Alan as one of my instructors in Sacro Occipital Technic for SORSI. We had many days and late nights discussing healing methods. What is most memorable is when he designed and built his house. He brought pictures to show me upon completion. I too had such aspirations. Alan recommended the following: Double or triple your hours at the office. Then hire someone to design and build. This strategy, he proclaimed, would save much time and money in the long run. He was as proud of that accomplishment aw we were (and are) of him.
I met Alan in 2005 when he came to my massage therapist’s office. He was in Lake Jackson, Texas to teach a class. He asked me for a date. We walked on the beach in Surfside in the moonlight. That became the beginning of a relationship with the kindest, most loving man I have ever known. We maintained an endearing friendship that transcended time and space. We vacationed in Florida, Texas and Maui. We conducted a meeting to enlighten people about UFO’s. His teaching was never judgmental. He counseled me when I had concerns. He read books to me over the phone, one on radiation and marveled that I was interested in the subject. He played the piano for me to listen to over the phone. I spent time with him in Toledo (holy Toledo). Alan was hoping to visit me in League City, TX where I have lived with my daughter for the last 2 years. I will forever miss him.
I was introduced to the amazing alan saxon a year ago, by our mutual back in shape chiropractor office friends, dr. steve gabay and nanci ledig. we had to find each other in this big world. he was from n.y.c., where my family and i lived for many years. alan was born jewish like me, but more buddhist in recent decades (which i also believe in). he was so brilliant and caring toward his family, friends, and patients. he always told me, also just like me as a psychotherapist.
i have so many wonderful memories of our time together, although he was taken from all of us way too soon. he joined me at our jewish community gatherings, chadeish yameinu. especially to mourn the scores of people killed at tree of life synagogue in pittsburgh last year. he loved a book event, wounds into wisdom. about ancestral healing, from the past and present.
we enjoyed an amazing retrospective exhibit in s.f.of monet, who was our favorite artist. my daughter genna loves monet as well, and joined us that day. she connected deeply with alan, especially during a discussion of astrology over dinner. alan was so multi-faceted, talented, a genius.
we talked for hours on the phone most nights for this past year. we also enjoyed weekly dinner and movies. he happily helped me many times with homeopathic remedies, and kept me updated with current political trends. we loved an evening honoring ruth bader ginsburg, a heroine to both of us.
i feel alan’s presence every day. i know he is watching over the people he cared so much about. a psychic friend did an imagery to help me, the day after alan passed away. i was in a protective bubble with her when he appeared to her. she had met him once, also. he was hugging our bubble, such a great loving hugger. he was sad that he couldn’t take care of me any more. then he became very happy when i asked him to keep watching over me, and all of us. i feel so grateful to have shared so many wonderful things with alan. he was unique, brilliant, an incredible person. i feel blessed.
Dear Dr. Linda, I am so happy that you were Alan’s dear friend for the last year of his life and had so much in common with him. You enriched his life in countless ways. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I would like to learn how I can get one of Alan’s little books Life, such as it was… or something like that… Please contact me…
Thank you
Dear kitty
Just called the office and was so shocked to hear Alan passed away and they didn’t have u phone nr
I just happened to be in sc
If u read it sent me a e mail would be fun to hear from you