Alan V. Briceland, 85, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away Friday, August 16, 2024 in West Orange, New Jersey. On August 28 services were held and he was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Richmond. 

His daughter Alicia Briceland described her father as someone who led by example and had firm principles, integrity and persistance to a fault, especially when speaking up for others. She said, "providing extra help was like part of his job description." 

Professor Emeritus William E. Blake Jr. remembered his service to the university - first as RPI and later as it transistioned to VCU. Alan always had an open door policy, and he should know because they shared an office for 25 years. Many students came to speak with Alan often. 

He also recalled that as RPI was transitioning, Alan was instrumental in writing most of the policy documents for the formation of VCU. What struck him is that Alan was not only a person of ideas, but also a person of action. He always carried out what he thought. And CHS dean Catherine Ingrassia stated "he got us to where we are today." 

In his long life, Dr. Alan Briceland touched thousands of people, and with that, his legacy lives on. 

Obituary

Born in Baltimore, Maryland to Walter Vance and Winifred (nee Strayer) Briceland, he was raised in Towson, Maryland and Sparta, New Jersey and called Richmond, Virginia his home for most of his life. He attended the College of William & Mary, as well as Duke University. Alan was an associate professor of history at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, was an active faculty member and president of their faculty senate.

Predeceased by his parents and his devoted wife of 31 years, Penelope (nee Warren) Briceland, surviving are his loving children, Walter Vance Briceland and his husband, Craig Scott Symons and Margaret Alicia Briceland; caring sister, Martha Briceland Malloy and nephews, William Steven Malloy and Mark Alan Malloy. As a lifelong cat lover, he is also survived by his two cat-children, Walter and Lexi.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Alan can be made to the VCU scholarships of Alan Vance Briceland and Penelope Warren Briceland.