Not many people can say they crashed in an airplane, spent 15 hours stranded in the wild, and lived to tell the tale. Still, that incident is only one of the interesting facts in the life of a memorable man.
Dr. Alfred H. Underwood was the longest-living continuous resident of Morningside, having lived in the neighborhood since the late 1940s. He passed away peacefully on July 23 at age 94, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, love, and unforgettable memories.
With an unwavering dedication to his loved ones and his community, Underwood is remembered as a genuine and remarkable man with a fascinating history.
(Courtesy of Alan H. Underwood)
Dr. Alfred H. Underwood at his dental clinic before his 2013 retirement
“He had boundless energy, always alert, quick, and vital, right until the end,” said Underwood’s neighborhood friend Janna McConnell.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1930, Underwood’s family moved to Miami in 1945. He graduated from Miami Edison High School in 1948, now renovated as a middle school known for its rich cultural diversity and significant Haitian-American student population. Underwood then pursued his studies at the University of Miami and graduated from Emory University’s School of Dentistry in 1958.
Career Legacy
(Courtesy of Alan H. Underwood)
Grandson Jacob Underwood (left), son Alan H. Underwood (middle), and Dr. Underwood (right) at a funeral event
Underwood was known as a dedicated dentist, serving the Miami community for more than 65 years. In addition to his private practice, Underwood was an active participant and founding member of the Community Smiles Association, a fully accredited nonprofit clinic within public schools that focuses on providing oral health education and improving dental care access for uninsured, low-income children and families in Miami-Dade County. Underwood was also a member of the Florida Academy of General Dentistry, where he taught upcoming dentists.
Even after he retired from dentistry in 2013, his passion and advocacy for accessible dental care shone through, turning his care and compassion for his patients into lasting friendships.
“At 14, coming from a poor family with no insurance and a single mother, he took care of my siblings and me,” said Bill Eades, retired and longest-serving policeman in Miami-Dade County. “He was not only a great dentist but also a lifelong friend.”
A Community Staple
(Courtesy of Alan H. Underwood )
Dr. Underwood with his wife, Micha Starnes
Underwood was a cherished member of the Morningside community, known for attending annual Christmas parties and for opening his property to the community.
“He was always willing to volunteer for neighborhood projects and events,” said Underwood’s neighborhood friend, Elvis Cruz. “The most helpful thing he did was offer his beautiful bayfront backyard for our holiday parties every year. We must have had at least a dozen gatherings there. He wasn’t loud or outspoken, but his actions spoke volumes. He was Mr. Reliable, the go-to guy in our community,”
A dedicated self-starter and community advocate, Underwood was a founding member of the Miami Edison Over-the-Hill Gang, his high school’s alumni association, which has organized biannual weekend reunions since 1977.
As an avid clarinet and saxophone player, Underwood was a driving force behind Edison’s music scene, committed to assembling and leading the bands at every Over-the-Hill Gang reunion. His dedication helped keep the association’s reunions alive, though the group’s activities has slowed since the 2020 pandemic.
Survivor Story
Underwood enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1953 to 1955, during the Korean War. Later, as an army veteran, he became active in the American Legion Post number 29, where he was also involved in community initiatives.
In 1997, Underwood’s plane crashed in the Everglades and he survived 15 grueling hours amid wildlife before two deer hunters on an airboat rescued him. He was later picked up by a Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter and taken to Holiday Park, where paramedics found only sore ankles and cuts from the sawgrass.
A Miami Herald report described how Underwood tore the seat covers from the plane and used them to wrap himself and create a makeshift resting spot on the fuselage. Though he did not encounter predators, such as alligators and snakes, he survived the relentless onslaught of mosquitos. Shortly after his near-death encounter, he gave up his pilot license for good.
One could say life humbled Underwood, but his humanity dated back to his experiences as a teenager. He often recounted his summer as a lifeguard at the Morningside Park pool during segregation, where the pool was split into ‘colored’ hours in the morning and ‘white’ hours in the afternoon. This practice puzzled him deeply. Motivated by these early experiences, Underwood dedicated himself to building friendships and connections across racial lines, always hoping for a future where communities would come together beyond racial divides.
Underwood’s legacy continues with his son, Alan H. Underwood, and grandchildren, Darby Underwood Herman and Jacob Alan H. Underwood. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Annette Iho Underwood, and son, Lee Alfred Underwood. He leaves behind his second wife, Micha Starnes, the Starnes family, his sister, Sue Carol Kenyon, and her daughters, Norma Sue Cynthia, and Pamela.
In the print edition of the Biscayne Times, Dr. Alfred H. Underwood was mistakenly identified as Alan. We apologize for the error.