Alastair Reid Muir

May 10, 1946 - December 10, 2021

Alastair Reid Muir (“Big Guy”), age 75, of Morrison, IL, and formerly of Oskaloosa, IA, passed away on Friday, December 10, 2021, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. He was born on May 10, 1946, the son of Andrew J. and Isobel (Stevenson) Muir in Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Although he became an American citizen, he was proud of his Scottish heritage and always had one foot (and a part of his heart) in Scotland. He and his family immigrated to the United States at a young age. Alastair attended Oskaloosa High School and graduated with the Class of 1964. He furthered his education at William Penn University, earning a bachelor’s degree, and later a master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa. On October 1st, 1965, he was united in marriage to Lynn Knowler at the Oskaloosa Gospel Tabernacle Church. To this union two daughters were born, Sasha and Wendi. Alastair worked for the Bi-County Special Education Cooperative in Sterling, IL, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He worked in several schools around the Sterling area, helping students and their families throughout Whiteside County. Alastair also worked as a professional photographer for over 20 years, shooting weddings, and other special events and performing in-studio portraiture. He worked for Bob Dunsmore photography in Oskaloosa for a time, before starting his own photography business. After retiring from school social work, Alastair kept busy, helping those same schools with computer repairs. At a young age, he developed a love and fascination with trains. During primary school, he would often watch the M&StL trains roll by out the school window, as he sat in class, and he joined a railroading club later in life. Alastair was a jack of all trades, fixing anything mechanical or electrical and prided himself on being self-taught. He was an active member of the Rock Falls Disciples of Christ Church in Illinois. He was known for his sharp wit and had a knack for public speaking, often filling the pulpit at various churches, when their pastors were away. Alastair was a very caring and generous man who loved the Lord and would always lend a helping hand to those in need. Above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his family and was very proud of his grandson, Ewan. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Muir of Morrison, Illinois; his two daughters, Sasha (Mike) Kamper and Wendi (Chris) Denham, all of Des Moines; a grandchild, Ewan Denham; his nieces, Cindy Kentner, Angela Rohde and Stephanie Gibson; his nephews, Craig Muir and Scott Muir; a sister-in-law, Helen Muir; a foster son, David O’Neal, several great-nieces and nephews, and cousins in Scotland. He is also survived by many foreign exchange students, some of whom still keep in contact to this day. Alastair is preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Rev. William Muir and James S. Muir, his mother- and father-in-law, Robert and Lois Knowler, and a sister-in-law, Betty Muir. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Andy Polenzke officiating. Burial will follow services in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation with the family present to greet guests and relatives will be held in the Bates Funeral Chapel on Friday, December 17, from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International or William Penn University.