Alan Kuver will never be forgotten at Huntington High School. He gave everyone he worked with everything he had for as long as he possibly could. The longtime teacher passed away on July 1, 2014 after a 10 month battle with esophageal cancer, leaving behind admiring colleagues and countless Blue Devil fencers who will never forget their coach.
Even after Mr. Kuver received his awful diagnosis he continued to teach and coach while undergoing treatment. He was in his classroom until the final week of the 2013/14 school year, when he just couldn’t make it to work any longer. He passed away only two weeks later.
Huntington teacher and fencing coach Alan Kuver passed away in June 2014.
A Huntington High School grad, Mr. Kuver was so closely associated with the Blue Devil boys’ and girls’ fencing teams that it is still difficult to follow the sport since without seeing him involved in it.
Three scholarships worth $1,000 were presented to members of Huntington’s Class of 2019 in honor of Mr. Kuver, who remains a source of inspiration for his faculty colleagues, fellow coaches and the students and athletes he worked so closely with.
Connor Dougal, Francesca Greco and Edgar Rivas Lizama all captured one of the three special awards presented in Mr. Kuver’s memory, which remains vivid to those who worked alongside the gifted educator and coach.
Mr. Dougal and Ms. Greco both competed on the Blue Devil fencing team. It was a sport that Mr. Kuver loved with all his heart and he gave countless hours of his time to Huntington kids interested in mastering the intricacies of fencing.
Christopher Williams, one of Mr. Kuver’s classmates at Huntington High School presented Mr. Dougal and Ms. Greco with $1,000 scholarships. But first he regaled a crowd of 325 in colorful and animated fashion about Mr. Kuver’s larger than life personality and what it means to be a Huntington alum.
Mr. Dougal plans to study history at the University of Connecticut for possible preparation as a social studies teacher. Captain of the Blue Devil fencing team as a senior, he was one of Suffolk’s top ten fencers. A New York State Scholar Athlete Award recipient, he was named a Distinguished Senior last spring after compiling an impeccable academic record over the past four years. The teenager said that “keeping a schedule, staying organized, managing free time and getting a good night’s sleep” have all contributed to his success.
Ms. Greco intends to study psychology at Stony Brook University. An Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, she was president of the Italian Honor Society and a member of the English Honor Society. A member of the high school’s drama club, she was also honored as a Distinguished Senior. “Finding balance, working very hard and staying motivated throughout high school” have been the keys to her success.
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Associated Teachers of Huntington President James Graber presented a $1,000 scholarship to Mr. Lizama. The ATH pledged to present an annual scholarship in memory of Mr. Kuver during the decade following his passing.
“Edgar is a remarkable young man with an exceptional future,” high school guidance counselor Diana Bonolla said. A National Spanish Exam Bronze Prize award recipient, Mr. Lizama has volunteered with the Long Island Immigrant Student Advocates Organization. He created a captivating short film about living the immigrant experience in America. A contributing writer for the high school’s student newspaper, The Dispatch, he also mentored immigrant students that were new to the high school. The teenager plans to continue his education at Suffolk Community College. He is interested in studying computer science or mechanical engineering.
Alan Drew Kuver
Alan Drew Kuver was a member of Huntington High School’s Class of 1984. An articulate, soft-spoken man with a wonderful sense of humor, he was also a great conversationalist. He could hold court on almost any topic. His colleagues found him fascinating.
At the 46th annual Blue Devil senior athletic awards dinner in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium in June 2014, just weeks before he would succumb to his illness, Mr. Kuver spoke eloquently about the Huntington fencing program, its triumphs and some of its finest moments and about each of the senior athletes he worked with during what was his final season.
Mr. Kuver was a Blue Devil fan, frequently attending home and away games of sport teams as his schedule would allow. A dedicated coach, he devoted countless hours to working with his athletes year-round and maintaining their delicate equipment. He always had time to offer wise counsel and valuable advice to someone seeking it.
In addition to his long association with the Huntington fencing program, Mr. Kuver served a stint as the Blue Devil varsity girls’ track and field coach. He taught industrial arts and technology at Huntington High School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School and had an easy way of working with his students.
A resident of the Huntington School District, Mr. Kuver was often be seen around town, darting in and out of stores. A consummate professional, he helped guide many of his athletes into the college ranks, with several reaching the NCAA Division I fencing championships. He maintained relationships with a long list of Blue Devil alums, who he continued to mentor and encourage, years after they had graduated.
