Alfred C. Qualman

ALFRED CLAUSEN QUALMAN, longtime resident of Northville, MI, passed away on May 16, 2025 at the age of 78. He was born on October 7, 1946 to Jack W. and Amy (Clausen) Qualman, and married to Connie (Aldrich) Qualman for over 53 loving, adventurous years.

After spending his early years in Birmingham, MI, Al’s family moved to Ann Arbor where he attended Pioneer High School, graduating in 1964. Al went on to attend Hope College in Holland, MI where he was active in intramural sports, joined the KHN (Knickerbocker) Fraternity, and developed a love for sailing. Hope College is also where Al met his wife, Connie, and thus began their more than half century of memories exploring the beaches of Lake Michigan – a place they would return to time and again throughout the course of their lives. 

Al graduated from Hope College in 1970 and began an innovative career as a unit manager at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI, where he created the Patient Transportation System - a system still in existence today, fifty five years later. Following his time at Beaumont, Al went on to work at GM’s Hydramatic plant in Ypsilanti as an industrial engineer. As a member of the joint ergonomics team, Al was instrumental in the development of ergonomic standards that were implemented at Hydramatic, and later used as a model for other GM facilities. 

Al & Connie married on November 6, 1971. Their honeymoon to Cape Cod inspired a love for New England, and they revisited frequently over the years. In 1973, they moved to Northville, MI, where they remained permanent residents. They adopted their daughters, Holly and Heather, in 1983 and Al left the outside work force in 1987 to dedicate himself as a stay-at-home Dad, servant of God, and active community member while also pursuing his Amway business. 

As a father, Al was an all-around fun dad, serving as creative Room Dad, field trip chaperone, carpool driver, swim team cheerer, fishing instructor, pom dad, choir dad, band dad, and general adventure & mischief leader. At the First Presbyterian Church, Al served as an Elder, part-time Sunday School leader, and a youth group leader. As a member of the First United Methodist Church, Al participated in several bible study groups, community service programs, and was a member of the choir. In the community, Al was a member of the Northville Jaycees, Northville Rotary and Kiwanis Club, SAAD, Northville Youth Assistance, and Northville DDA. He remained profoundly proud of his accomplishments in founding Cooke Middle School’s PASSS Program (Parent and Student Support System) and Northville ACORD (A Community Organization Recognizing Diversity). 

Al was known for his ability to make friends easily, his generosity with time and volunteering, his creative and innovative approach to problem solving, his engineering mind, his love of cars, his optimism, his unwavering faith, his love for his dogs, and the strength of his love and adoration for his wife and daughters. 

Al is survived by his wife, Connie; his daughters Holly Qualman and Heather Qualman (Ryan McCourt); his grandchildren Atlas, Brandan, Kira and Molly; his brother Jack (Brook) Qualman; and his nephews Jack (Helene) Qualman, Erik (Ana Maria) Qualman, and Matt (Mary Alison) Qualman. He leaves many cousins, grand nieces & nephews, and numerous friends and acquaintances who will miss him dearly, including the cherished Amway associates with whom he built lasting relationships and shared his passion.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 6, 2025 at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, 777 West Eight Mile Road, Northville.