In Memoriam: Allan Kirkpatrick Troxler 1947-2025:
It is with profound sadness that we share that graphic artist, mask-puppet-and-banner maker, violinist, country dance teacher, and community activist Allan Troxler passed away on October 26, 2025.
Born and raised in Greensboro, Troxler became a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and participated in civil rights organizing and campaigns. He also worked in Boston to preserve neighborhoods threatened by urban development. Later, Troxler moved to a communal farm in rural Oregon with his partner, noted gay activist Carl Wittman. While in Oregon, Allan and Carl helped to publish RFD, a magazine for gay men living in rural America.
Read the full obituary at the blog of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Duke University.
Allan Troxler Obituary
Allan Kirkpatrick Troxler — graphic artist, mask-puppet-and-banner maker, violinist, country dance teacher, community activist, and devoted friend — died at age 78 at Brookdale Memory Care in Chapel Hill on October 26, 2025. His final days were filled with Haydn quartets, songs from his childhood, and the voices and touch of so many who loved him.
Allan was born April 22, 1947 and grew up in Greensboro, the son of respected civil rights and peace activist Catherine Kirkpatrick Troxler and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Eulyss Robert Troxler. Allan served his country during the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector, working to preserve Boston neighborhoods threatened by urban development. Later, Allan moved to a communal farm in rural Oregon with his partner, noted gay activist Carl Wittman. While in Oregon, Allan and Carl helped to publish RFD, a magazine for gay men living in rural America.
Returning to North Carolina in 1979, Allan and Carl settled in East Durham where they renovated neighboring houses. Both devotees of English Country Dance and leaders in a national dance movement, they started Sun Assembly, its weekly dances and New Year’s celebrations in Durham weaving an egalitarian community beyond gender binaries. Over the years they helped organize a range of community projects and protests. Carl died of AIDS in early 1986 but remained Allan’s life partner.