Allen Yale Shaklan Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Allen Yale Shaklan, of Asheville, NC, passed away on May 15, 2022, after a brave struggle with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. He was 76 years old. Allen Shaklan was born on July 10, 1945, in Newark, New Jersey. The son of a truck driver, he attended Newark Public Schools, Hillside High School, and ultimately Rutgers University. He went on to study law at Rutgers Law School and was accepted to the Bar in 1971, following up with a master’s degree from New York University in First Amendment law. After a brief stint at the Federal Trade Commission, he entered the law department of the CBS Television Network, handling First Amendment cases for the broadcasting powerhouse's news division. A passionate advocate for quality news and press freedom, he transitioned to station management, first as Vice President of CBS' Stations Division, and then, in 1988, as VP and General Manager of CBS' Miami affiliate, WCIX (later WFOR). During his 11-year tenure in Miami, Shaklan was credited with transforming the station from a marginal presence in the market, to a competitive station with a strong community presence. He then took the helm at WGCL in Atlanta, another struggling affiliate and spearheaded a revamp of their news broadcast. In a 2000 interview, he explained, "We're trying to create an environment, so viewers know exactly what they are going to get. News that matters, not fluff or sensationalism. That same year, WGCL was named "Best Newscast" by the Georgia Associated Press Broadcasters Association. Shaklan departed the station in 2002, turning his attention to public service. He joined Refugee Family Services, an Atlanta-based nonprofit focused on helping refugee women and children become more self-sufficient. During his six years there, RFS became one of the few organizations in the country to operate a pre-school program designed specifically for refugee children. Shaklan "retired" to the Asheville area in 2010, but soon found himself lending his expertise to the Carolina Public Press, a nonprofit online news service providing Western North Carolina with unbiased, in-depth, and investigative reporting. Shaklan served as its first Board President until illness forced him to step away. To friends, family, and colleagues, he will be remembered as a kind, humble and humorous man. A lover of classical music, he spent hours plunking away at his baby grand or listening to his favorite recordings. A lifetime runner, he completed the New York Marathon in 1982 and loved playing tennis with his children and grandchildren. Shaklan is survived by his wife, Marlene Shaklan, his sons Daniel and Steven, and four grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held in the fall. When details are confirmed, they will be available on the Morris Funeral and Cremation Care website: https:/www.morrisfamilycaregroup.com/obituaries Donations in his honor may be made to Four Seasons Foundation, 211 North Main, St., Hendersonville, N.C.28792, 828-692-6178; or to Memory Care, 100 Far Horizon Lane, Asheville, N.C. 28803, 828-771-2219.

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Allen Yale Shaklan

July 10, 1945 - May 15, 2022