Rev. Michael Rives Alford, 87, of Chester, NH was born in Oxford, North Carolina on 23 August 1938 to Christine Cox and David Wilson Alford. He entered eternal life on January 12th, 2026. Michael was predeceased by his wife Diana of 43 years in 2005 and by his son Michael Andrew in 2021. He is survived by his son Peter Mekeel; his daughter MaryBeth Clough and her husband Mark; and daughter-in-law Amy Alford. His six grandchildren are Ava Alford, Jonathan Alford, Michael James Alford (Jaqi), Ryan Alford, Benjamin Clough (Marryn) and Samuel Clough (Molly).

After graduating from Cary High school in 1956, Michael received a Bachelor’s of Science in Nuclear Engineering from N.C. State University (cum laude) in 1960. He also attended graduate school at RPI in Troy, N.Y. and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He completed his graduate studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, in 1965 with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained in Louisville, Kentucky in 1965.

He was the director of Camp Pattersonville in 1964 and a number of Southern Baptist camps in Massachusetts, 1973 and 1974.

Before his seminary schooling, he worked for GE Aviation in their Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Department in Evendale, Ohio. He then relocated to Schenectady, New York where he worked for ALCO as a Theoretical Physicist.

Michael planted and served in churches in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. He retired from First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady New York in 2001 after serving for 27 years.

In addition to his ministerial duties, he served on the boards of the National Association of Evangelicals, Camp Pattersonville, Schenectady Christian Academy, the New York State Association of Evangelicals and the Schenectady Children’s Home.

Michael was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed all Boston teams. In New York, he played tennis weekly with his friends. He was forever loyal to his alma mater - North Carolina State Wolfpack. After retirement, he and Diana enjoyed birdwatching and they took many birding trips to include traveling to remote locations to see rare birds.

During retirement Michael attended the Church of the Redeemer (PCA) in Manchester, N.H. and joined the Northern New England PCA Presbytery in 2022. In retirement, he served as interim minister at three churches and did supply preaching before moving to New Hampshire in 2020.

All are invited to attend a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church, 209 Union St. in Schenectady, NY at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 14.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to First Presbyterian Church of Schenectady, NY or Church of the Redeemer of Manchester, NH in memory of Michael R Alford.

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