Byron Alterman

Byron Alterman was born to Helene and Richard Alterman on March 14, 1970.  Years after his mother Helene and his father Richard divorced, Richard married Marty.  Byron had one biological brother Adam and two half-brothers. Joseph and Mitchell.  He loved all three as full brothers, regardless of who was their mother.

As one who marched to his own beat figuratively and literally, Byron finished high school at Riverside Military Academy.  In order to come home on any one weekend, students at Riverside had to have high grades.  As you would expect, Byron was able to come home every weekend. 

After earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English at University of Wisconsin, Byron attended William Mitchell Law School in Minnesota.  He later became a commercial real estate attorney with his own firm, which became a big success.   Byron was often a speaker at the annual International Conference of Shopping Centers (ISCS).

Byron married Betsy on July 14, 1998.  Byron and Betsy together raised two wonderful daughters, Allison and Lauren.  By 2023, Byron and Betsy were divorced and remained amicable until Byron’s death.  Byron was partnered with Sharon Dickinson for the past three years.

It was late in high school when Byron got on the Grateful Dead bus and the rest was Truckin’ history, especially during his college years.  He traveled and saw many shows during his college years and after.  His love for the Dead’s music and his particular fascination with Jerry Garcia influenced his guitar playing and singing.  He played in Webster, a Grateful Dead cover band for 20 years.  They played many shows around Atlanta, including festivals such as Porchfests, Candler Park Festivals and at the Lake Claire Community Land Trust, as well as many others.

A good guy with a sharp sense for business, in 1992, when he and Betsy when to WA to find themselves, they ended up at Pike’s Place Market in Seattle.  They discovered a small coffee shop that had lots of people lining up for coffee.  The rise of grunge music and independent coffee shops started in Seattle and they were at ground zero for it all. 

Byron called his dad and excitedly shared, “Dad! I have a great business idea.  We found a small coffee shop in Seattle that would be a great business venture back home.”  His dad responded, “a coffee shop?  Who would go to a coffee shop?  Are you out of your mind?”    That coffee shop was Starbucks.  The rest of Starbucks was NOT history for Byron.

He loved his daughters and to show his love, he wore a hat with LED lights.  For Lauren in particular, he programmed the LED lights to say, “Lauren Alterman’s Dad” at Lauren’s concerts and even at her graduation!

Lauren shared that they went hiking once in California.  Byron managed to fall not once, but twice.  It was in the same spot, going up and down the trail!  What is the chance of that?  His shirt was so dirty, it had to be thrown out.

Byron was almost 20 years older than his oldest half-brother Joe.  When Byron had just graduated from U of WI, he went to follow the Grateful Dead around the country  for some time.  When Byron came home, he had let his bushy Jewfro grow out.  Joe was around 5 at the time, and he had some friends at the house and Byron came out to see them.  The friends looked at Byron and said to Joe, “Joe – who invited the Werewolf?”  

Byron was a gentle soul and would do things for others.  He also had a passion for cooking.  If a special day for someone was coming up, he would ask what dish they loved and he would cook it for them.  He played music at a friend’s wedding and was always fun to be with. 

Connected with Byron by a mutual friend, I was fortunate to meet him and other new friends in 2018 at the Lockn Festival.  I was immediately drawn to him.  He was warm and welcoming.  We all sat around during the day with his other Atlanta music friends, and we played guitars and sang together.  It was a wonderful weekend with Byron and the others. 

Byron left us all way too soon.  He was preceded by his mother Helene.  He leaves behind his daughter Allison, daughter Lauren, brothers Adam, Joseph and Mitchell his father Richard and step-mother Marty.  He also leaves behind his ex-wife Betsy and current partner Sharon.

Just before his own death, John Lennon wrote, “Life is what happens while we are busy making other plans.”  Leaving those he loved and who loved him was not part of Byron’s plans.  Yet, here we are today, bidding him goodbye.  May his memory always be a blessing for all who loved and knew him.

From the other Realm, we can hear Byron singing:

What do you want me to do
To do for you to see you through?
A box of rain will ease the pain
And love will see you through

Yes – love will see all of us through, because love is what gets us all through loss and grief.
I modify the following lyrics for Byron:

Fare you well, fare you well
We all love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock your freed soul
 

A graveside funeral for Byron will be held at Arlington Memorial Park on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 2:30 PM.