Douglas Allen Alitz

Douglas Allen Alitz—West Point graduate, Vietnam veteran, devoted husband, larger than life father, unapologetic lover of Iowa, and a man who trusted dogs more than most people—passed away after a sudden illness on March 28th, 2026, leaving behind a rich life story that refused to be simple.

Born in Mason City, Iowa on August 14th, 1940, Doug was, at his core, always an Iowa farm kid.  He lived in Rockwell, Iowa with his Mom, Verda, and younger brother Denny during the war years when his dad, LeRoy, was on a Navy ship. When Leroy returned, they moved to Osage, Iowa. Doug loved Osage. He had freedom there to ride his bike all over, go fishing and hang out with his friends. The family moved to West Point when Doug was 13. Moving to West Point was a culture shock for him and he was less than pleased at first. During the summer months, he would go to his Uncle Glen’s farm in Rockwell. He loved working the farm and living there. That is why he is so close to Glennys and Gerald. Later, on Doug’s trips to Iowa with his sister Diann for funerals and cousins’ reunions, he took her all over Osage and Rockwell and Riceville and showed her all the places he fished, camped out and worked the farm. He loved it. Iowa is where he began his lifelong love of the outdoors and animals. 

Even after moving away, he never really left Iowa behind.  It wasn’t just a place, it was a piece of him.

Doug was a proud West Point graduate, Class of 1964 (watching him become either elated or enraged during Army-Navy games for the rest of his life became an infamous family tradition). After West Point, Doug was proud to serve his country, but paid a price for that service.  He was a 101st Airborne Infantry Division company commander during the peak of tensions in Vietnam (1967-1968).  He earned a Silver Star award for gallantry in action.  He told his kids that his main purpose in Vietnam was to get as many of “his boys” home alive as he could, and he ached with regret for those he felt he let down.  He returned home to a country divided on whether he was a hero or a criminal.  This hurt him deeply and he always remained a staunch supporter and defender of military personnel, especially veterans.

In 1964, Doug married his first wife Jane, with whom he had three children (Scott, Karen, and Katie), and they lived in the small northwestern NJ town of Long Valley for many years.  In 1991 he married his second wife Maggie, with whom he moved to his beloved town of Newcomb in the Adirondacks.  There, he and Maggie took joy in the relationships they cultivated while running Aunt Polly’s Bed and Breakfast. He found purpose and satisfaction in working the Adirondack headwaters as part of black fly prevention efforts, and he satisfied his inner cowboy while owning and running High Peaks Stables.  Driving a team of Percheron horses hooked to a wagon full of tourists into the Great Camp Santanoni, he was in his element. After Maggie passed last year and he was offered places to live elsewhere, Doug repeatedly told his brother Curt, "how could I live anywhere else?”

Doug was also an excellent all-around athlete.  He was the starting quarterback in high school, a high school track athlete and at West Point, he was on the cross country, wrestling and football teams (until academics caught up with him). Later, he ran his first (and only) marathon at age 39, and he handled teams of draft horses well into his 70s.

To know Doug as an adult was to understand that he was not always easy. He had strong opinions, a low tolerance for nonsense, and a gruff personality that didn’t bend much. But he was also steady, loyal, and deeply loving in his own way. You always knew where you stood with him.  His tough exterior hid a compassionate heart: nobody doubted his deep love for his children, his pride and concern for all his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and his concern for all living things (all those pigeons under the Route 28 bridge and those Hudson River Canada geese and mallards are proof).

He is survived by his son Scott and his wife Mary, his daughter Karen, his daughter Katie and her husband Keith, grandchildren Joseph, Sarah, John, Cassidy, Griffin, Piper, Kelsey, Kyle, and Kory, who carry forward his independence, his resilience, and his love of the outdoors.  He is also survived by his brothers Dennis and his wife Linda, Curt and his wife Debra, Jeff and his wife Katie, and his sister Diann and her husband Bill, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins far and wide.

Doug leaves behind more than a list of accomplishments. He leaves behind stories, strong impressions, and a reminder that love doesn’t always look polished or easy—but it can still be unwavering and real.

In his honor, take a drive down a quiet road, spend some time outside, or give your dog an extra pat. And if you find yourself in Iowa—slow down, look around, and imagine a younger version of him, somewhere between a fishing spot and a farm, exactly where he wanted to be.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at St. Therese Church, 18 Adams Lane, Newcomb, NY beginning with 12:00 p.m. calling hours and a 1:00 p.m. service. Interment will be conducted at 11am on Friday, May 22, 2026 at Newcomb Cemetery.  Please join us for refreshments immediately following at the Newcomb Firehall.  In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the Newcomb Volunteer Fire Department/Rescue Squad.