Alan Laker Bates, 55, of Springfield passed away at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2011 in Cox South. He was born December 23, 1955 in Lawrence, Kansas to C. Warren and Margery Laker Bates. Alan's family moved to Springfield when he was a small child, and he attended Hickory Hills Elementary and Jr. High and was a 1974 graduate of Glendale High School, where he was on the wrestling team. Alan became involved in Scouting and ultimately became an Eagle Scout Master and as an Instructor at the Philmont (New Mexico) National Scout Ranch. He earned a degree in Architecture from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville in 1979 and immediately returned to Springfield to join his father's architecture firm, Bates & Associates. He assumed ownership of the firm, replacing his father, in 1999. Alan married his first wife, Dana Clopton, in 1976 with whom he had four wonderful children. Alan was a loving, supportive father who loved to boast his children's numerous accomplishments. Alan was an active parent in the Greenwood Laboratory School and guided his children's academic careers through graduation and college. In 2002, Alan married his best friend Robyn Beck Bates. Alan was delighted to add her three daughters to his beautiful family. He had served on the board of the Council of Boy Scouts of America, as president of the board of the Developmental Center of the Ozarks, was a supporter of gifted education and President of WINGS. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Baron's Club, Lotus Club, Springfield Investors Club, MENSA, and Hickory Hills Country Club (he was an avid golfer). He supported numerous charities including Lost and Found, the Boys & Girls Club and the American Diabetes Association. He also had a long affiliation with University Heights Baptist Church. Alan enjoyed the many projects he worked on throughout the years, including, Andy Williams Moon River Theatre, Inspiration Point at Sheppard of the Hills, Chesterfield Village, University Heights Baptist Church, Ray Steven's Theatre, MSU Student Union, many projects for Cox Hospital, working with the Jared family and Taylor family on Price Cutter stores, including one of his favorites the Gallery Bistro, and many others. He was an outdoorsman, explorer, and lover of life and enjoyed camping with his kids in Lost Valley Arkansas, floating the Buffalo and Mulberry Rivers, Wine at the Derb, happy hour at Metro, debating politics (debating anything), playing cards at Hickory, travel to Italy, Mexico, Cuba, Honduras, Costa Rica, Spain, Africa, Dominican Republic, and the East Coast to the West Coast of the US, coving at Cow Creek, the back porch at the cabin and date night. Alan was known for his intelligence, his wit, his generosity and larger than life personality, which endeared him to all. He always strived to understand and explore the natural world, for which he held a deep reverence. Alan was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Mark Bates. Alan is survived by his best friend and wife Robyn Bates; son, Cory Bates; daughters; Cristen, Cara and Laura Bates and stepdaughters; Brynn, Ambyr and Bailey Bagby. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2011 in University Heights Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2011 in the Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lost and Found, 1006 N. Cedarbrook, Springfield, Missouri 65802.