Funeral Details

Alan L. Unikel, age 82, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2026, after a long and brave battle with cancer. Alan was a force of nature, who was never afraid to offer wisdom, direction, investment advice, and golf tips. He was a principled and deeply ethical man, with a fierce loyalty to his family and friends. He was a talented athlete with the heart of a singer – “Mack the Knife” was always at the ready in case a karaoke machine or willing bandleader appeared for accompaniment.

Born in Chicago in 1943, Alan grew up as one of three rowdy boys in the home of Henry and Faye. He honed his love of competition with his brothers Phil and Errol, and Errol, in particular, became his lifelong arch-rival in golf. He attended Senn High School, where he eventually became the starting quarterback and met his first love, Barbara Wolf. Alan attended IIT to obtain a degree in industrial engineering, and there, he met some of his dearest life-long friends and fraternity brothers. After college, Alan and Barbara married and had daughter Jodi in 1965. Alan then ran a proverbial triathlon: working as an engineer for GE during the day, attending Georgetown Law School at night (to graduate at the top of his class), and dedicating himself to being a fantastic husband and father. The family eventually returned to Chicago, where son Robert was born in 1969. Alan’s first job as a lawyer was with eventual Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens; and he succeeded at becoming one of the preeminent patent and intellectual property litigators in Chicago. Alan could analyze a patent and a case from every angle and see the right strategic path forward. And his eloquent writing allowed him to best many talented adversaries. Alan ultimately practiced law for 45 years, spending a large part of his career as the esteemed Head of Litigation at Seyfarth Shaw.

In 1993, Alan met his last love, Eva. He swept her off her feet, serenaded her at their wedding, and their romance lasted for 33 years. Eva took care of Alan until the very end, making sure that his heart was always full even as his breath failed him.
Alan took tremendous pride in the accomplishments of his children Jodi, Robert and his wife Alyssa, and step-daughter Renee and her husband Joe. But, Alan saved his greatest joy for his grandchildren, Jackson, Ryan, Blair and Blake. There was no louder cheerleader at their various sporting events than Grandpa Alan.

Alan also treasured his relationships with his sister-in-law Betsy, and his nieces and nephews: Todd, Jill and her husband Jon, Keith and his wife Kendall, Laura and her husband Jeff, and Amy and her husband Robert.

Alan succeeded beyond his own wildest dreams and will be remembered for his strength, his intellect, his humor and his dedication.

Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 12 NOON, Chicago Jewish Funeral 8851 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL. Interment private. To view the livestream, please visit our website. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Wellness House, 131 North County Line Road, Hinsdale, IL 60521, www.wellnesshouse.org. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals – Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com