Alan David Galumbeck

Tazewell, Va – Alan David Galumbeck, 81, a technical guru for Landmark Communications at The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk and with The Weather Channel in Atlanta, died June 7 in Tazewell, Va, after a battle with cancer.

Alan was predeceased by his parents, Ella and Edward Galumbeck of Norfolk.

He is survived by his brother, Robert (Annabelle); his two nieces, Dori Hazan (Mark) and Paula Gravitt (Mark); his great-nephews Evan and Ethan Gravitt; his great-nieces Sophie and Olivia Hazan; his great-nephew Parker Hazan; and his best friend and “brother from another mother,” Larry Kabo.
Alan had a lifelong interest in gadgetry, starting as a HAM radio operator as a teen. He was always the first to adopt new technology, including calculator watches, Mac computers, and Blackberry phones.

Seeking to put his math and engineering skills to work, he attended Virginia Tech and Old Dominion University, where he founded the campus’ Jewish fraternity, AEPi.

On a job interview with The Pilot, Alan made a design-altering suggestion for the newspaper’s new press/distribution facility. Not only did Alan get the production manager job, but the idea created a big cost savings for the company. Later, Alan patented a system for transmitting pages from the composing room in downtown Norfolk, via microwave, onto metal plates at the pressroom in Virginia Beach.

Alan then got in on the ground floor of Landmark’s creation of The Weather Channel in the early 1980s. He moved to Atlanta where he patented software to enable “local weather on the 8s” during the national cable broadcast. He was promoted to vice president of new technology on Landmark’s corporate staff.

During his early retirement in Atlanta, he became an entrepreneur and partnered on the purchase of an old movie theater. Alan really liked movies, the perfect popcorn recipe, and hosting the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Around 2015, Alan moved from the big city to small town, Tazewell, to be near his brother Robert and sister-in-law Annabelle. He became involved in book club, game nights — “he was a stickler for rules” — and enjoyed a broad social life.

A graveside service was conducted by Cantor David Proser at Norfolk’s Forest Lawn Cemetery. Donations are suggested to Covenant House.