Alan Marshall Ptacek

Mr. Ptacek died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at his home.

He was born Sept. 14, 1960, in Great Bend, the son of Mike and Georgia Ptacek. He graduated from Pratt High School in 1978 and later graduated from Kansas University with a degree in geology. While at the university he was a member of Delta Chi fraternity and was appointed to a three-month position in the congressional support office by Sen. Nancy Kassebaum.

Mr. Ptacek tested offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico for Anadril Corp. He later worked in the telecommunications industry for MCI, AT&T and Lucent Technologies.

Survivors include his mother, Aurora, Colo.; his father, Thornton, Colo.; and a brother, Russ, Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials to The Breakthrough Foundation in Wichita, sent in care of the mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt 67124-3149.

The family has made a memorial Web site at www.alanptacek.com.