In Memory of Alan Reed

Alan Reed, aka Al from San Diego, was an incredibly special member of the community that proudly calls itself the Vegas Nerd Society. He loved the idea of a group of diverse people from around the world united by our shared obsession with Las Vegas, and he expressed that love through his selfless generosity during our annual events, whether it was offering to help out, buying drinks for his friends, making newcomers feel welcome and even taking care of someone, whom he had never before met, when they had taken ill.

Following his sudden and untimely passing on Nov. 2, we'd like to pay his generosity forward in a manner that honors his memory, his love of Vegas and what he meant to our group. Al was a student of the history of the city. At the NotVIMFP gathering only three weeks before he left us, he told me that Brilliant, the nightly show at the Neon Museum that brings back to life vintage Vegas neon signs from their collection, brought tears to his eyes. With that in mind, we're looking to raise money to buy an engraved paver stone on the Electric Promenade at the Neon Museum, a permanent marker of his love of Vegas and what he meant to us.

The Neon Museum has three levels of pavers that are available: The most expensive is $2,000, and borders the Elvis Presley star that was in front of the Riviera, with a second level ($1,000) located close to the star and the third ($500) along the main Promenade. All funds, even if we surpass our goal, will go to the museum.  

The text of the stone will be determined when we're ready to make the donation. To learn more about the Neon Museum and their efforts at preserving this aspect of Vegas history, visit its website.

Thank you for your generosity.