Sylvester B "Syl" Alper

June 12, 1917 - December 1, 2015

Syl Alper passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 in Bellingham, Washington. Syl was born June 12, 1917 in Edmonton, Alberta. He immigrated to the United States in 1920, eventually settling in Southern California where he lived for most of his life. Before moving to Bellingham in 2013, he lived in Long Beach, California. Syl was a civil engineer who, along with Bob Ziebarth, co-owned Ziebarth and Alper Engineering Construction for more than 50 years until his retirement. He was an avid boater who loved sailing with friends and family, a hobby he enjoyed well into his 80s. He was known for his good humor, exceptional generosity and optimistic outlook on life. He was preceded in death by first wife Jean Alper, second wife Lana Holmes Alper, granddaughter Elyse Alper and sister Bobbie Reichart. He is survived by his three children; Craig (Mari) Alper, Don (Jan) Alper and Nancy (Craig) Scott; four grandchildren, John Alper, Carolyn Alper Beauchamp, Meredith Chapin and Ryan Scott and four great-grandchildren, Ava Alper, Shane Alper, Joel Chapin and Noelle Chapin. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A graveside gathering will be held at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham at 2 PM on Tuesday, December 15th.