January 12, 2026 - CoalZoom has just learned that highly-respected longwall pioneer, Alan Peacock, left this earth on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, to join his beloved Patricia Bishop Peacock, his wife of 42 years. Alan was 86 years old.

“Alan was a brilliant Vice President of Engineering and project manager at Dowty Corporation of Pittsburgh, PA, who worked with the likes of the late Matt Spedding, and Harry Martin becoming one of the first household names in the coal industry to promote longwall mining in the U.S.,” said Bill Reid, former President of American Longwall of Abingdon, VA. ”When Alan came to America in 1975, longwall mining accounted for only 5% of underground coal mining and there were only a handful of installations. When Alan retired, longwall accounted for 60% of underground mining production and there were over 100 longwall faces. Alan, certainly, played his part, was highly respected in the coal industry, and was a great friend to many of us. He will always be remembered for his professionalism and his contribution to American coal.”   

Alan Peacock

Alan was born and raised in East London just as World War II began. His first recollection was the dropping of bombs during the Blitz and hurrying to the Anderson bomb shelter buried in the back garden of his family’s home.

Alan and Patricia grew up in the same neighborhood in Dagenham, met at the local junior high school, became friends and started dating. Alan continued his education beyond high school and after an apprenticeship, started his long career as a mechanical engineer, first with airplanes (including the Concorde) and later specializing in longwall coal mining.

Alan married Pat in 1961 and the couple moved to the southern coast of England. During that time, they welcomed their two children, Joanne and Richard. His work then moved the family to Cheltenham, where he worked as a project engineer for Dowty Mining Equipment, Ltd.

In 1975, an opportunity resulted in the Peacock family’s move to the United States, when Alan was invited by Matt Spedding, President, to join Dowty Corporation based in Zelienople near Pittsburgh, PA. Alan seized the opportunity and soon became part of the team, who made customer sales presentations for longwall shields and face conveyors. Alan also worked with the late Joe Collins, the former President of Anderson Mavor (USA) Ltd., who supplied longwall shearers. Throughout the years that followed, Alan travelled across the country, going underground at every opportunity, and establishing his considerable reputation of longwall knowledge wherever he went. 

Sadly, in 2003, Pat fell victim to cancer and died in 2003. Always a proud Brit, Alan loved the city of Pittsburgh and living in the U.S. becoming a citizen in 2017. He never stopped learning and creating. In his retirement, he pursued varied interests including traveling, antique cars, RVing, gardening, wildflower collecting, mushroom spotting, rowing, rock gardens, and birding. He enjoyed writing and worked on many volumes of his memoirs as well as novels. He was a talented and prolific artist and immersed himself in water colors. His artwork including paintings of pets are admired by his family and friends.

Beloved by his family, Alan is survived by his daughter Joanne Peacock Loebig and her husband Tom of Millsboro, Delaware; his son Richard Peacock of Carlisle; Granddaughters Sara Loebig of Astoria, New York and Lauren Loebig of Pittsburgh; and his Brother Terry Peacock and his wife Carol who reside in Australia.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Family Hospice and Cumberland Crossing Manor of Pittsburgh who took such good care of him these last months. A special thank you to Dr Greg Molter for his care and friendship of our father and mother, which was above and beyond the standard doctor-patient relationship. Alan will be interred with Pat, the love of his life, at Allegheny Memorial Park Cemetery, Pittsburgh. It was Alan’s wish that no services be held at this time. A celebration of life will be announced at a future time.