I hardly knew Adrien at Carleton. After I started dating Ray Martin our junior year, I knew him as Ray’s freshman roommate, but had little contact with him. In 1980 I was working at Northern States Power (NSP), now Xcel Energy. I heard that Ed Glass, Vice President of Engineering, had a new temporary secretary named Adrien Alstad who was really excellent. How many Adrien Alstads could there be? I found him and asked if he went to Carleton. Yes he had, and yes he remembered Ray and me. We set a date for the three of us to take a walk together at Carver Park. It was early October 1980, a beautiful day for a long hike with good conversation. I was 8 ½ months pregnant. Two weeks later my colleagues gave me a baby shower at lunch; Adrien came. When I returned from maternity leave, he had moved on. We were so sad to learn that he died a violent death on Dupont Circle in Washington, DC, not far from where I grew up.
Adrien Alstad ’71
25 August 2004
Adrien Denley Alstad was born March 16, 1949, in Fargo, ND, to Oscar and Lorraine (Quinnell) Alstad. Adrien was raised in Moorhead, MN, where he graduated from high school. Adrien went on to study English and History at Carleton College, Northfield, MN, and received a master’s degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Adrien went on to work for the Foreign Service of the US State Department, which took him to Zaire, Africa. Because of his love for history and travel, Adrien decided to become a waiter, which allowed him more time to pursue those interests.Adrien worked as a waiter in Minneapolis, MN, San Francisco, CA, and Australia, before moving to Washington, DC, in the early 1990s. He continued to enjoy travel to such places as India and China. At the time of his death, Adrien was working at Annies Paramount Steak House in Washington, DC.Adrien was on his way home from work on Monday, August 23, 2004, when he was shot by an unknown assailant and died one hour later at George Washington University Hospital. He was fifty-five years of age.Adrien is survived by his close and longtime friend, Clay Nettles, Washington, DC; one sister, Lynnette (Hugh Dykes) Bock, Summerfield, FL; one brother, Armond (Ruth) Alstad, Indianapolis, IN; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. His parents preceded him in death.A memorial service was held for Adrien in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
Elsie Myers Martin ’71
Comments
I became friends with Adrien and his 5 Moorhead friends while a freshman at Carleton. I didn't have a group to hang out with and they took me into theirs. Ade and I roomed together starting our sophomore year. I really enjoyed his friendship, wit, and intelligence. I transferred to the U of M after fall semester to broaden my study of multiple languages before med school, so I graduated there in 1971. I'd heard that he'd worked in Zaire and other international locations which would have fit with his education. I was happy to hear he gave all that up to work in a service job that would give him the freedom to travel as I actually did the same at age 51 with my medical career. Fortunately we never know ahead of time when two karmic paths will cross in our lives and bump us out of our physical existence. Such an incident leaves Adrien's family and friends devastated but his soul is flying free, still traveling.
Jeffrey Vadheim ['71 at the U]