Alvin C. “Al” Pike, CP(E), of Minnetonka, Minnesota, passed away June 14 at the age of 76 from leukemia.
Pike was born January 6, 1942, in Jackson, Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann Pike; nephew Steve Kloek; niece Stephanie Towley, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Pike joined the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command after graduating from Little Falls High School, Minnesota. While serving in the Air Force, Pike took up two other lifelong interests, prosthetics and photography. He received his prosthetics education at Northwestern University and after graduation worked for Ottobock, Amputee Rehabilitation Services, and the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis as the senior prosthetist and as the IRAC prosthetist consultant. Upon retirement, he took up aviation photography full time.
Pike supported the O&P profession and people with amputations throughout his career, including serving as president of the American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics (the Academy); chairman of the National Office Council of the Academy/American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics/American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association; earning a professional achievement award from the Amputee Coalition of America; and founding Amputees in Hollywood to support the accurate portrayal of people with amputations, prostheses, and prosthetists in the media.
