His track teams won three Inter-Ac League titles and one independent schools state championship.
Mr. McAlpin taught at Episcopal for 17 years, initially teaching Spanish in the high school and middle school and then teaching only in the middle school.
In 1992, he was recipient of the schools' Class of 1940 Faculty Enrichment Award.
A singer, pianist, and writer, he co-wrote musicals for student productions about Christopher Columbus and about the Underground Railroad. He was working on a musical about Marco Polo at the time of his death.
His science-fiction short stories and stories about growing up in West Philadelphia had been published in literary magazines. He also enjoyed painting in watercolors.
His daughter, Becky, said, "He was very creative and motivated me and my brothers to express ourselves and be the best we could be," she said.
He was also an avid fisherman, golfer and cyclist.
Mr. McAlpin graduated from West Catholic High School for Boys and St. Joseph's University. He earned a master's degree in Spanish literature from West Chester University. Before joining the faculty at Episcopal, he taught Spanish at West Catholic and at Malvern Preparatory School.
Mr. McAlpin served in the Peace Corps for more than two years in Bolivia and often shared memories of his experiences with his students.
For the last several years, he had taught evening classes in Spanish at Cabrini College.
He was an editor of a Simon & Schuster Spanish dictionary.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by sons Michael and Matthew; a brother; four sisters; and his longtime companion, Joan Davidson.
A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow at Christ Chapel at Episcopal Academy in Merion. Burial is private.
Memorial donations may be made to the school, 376 N. Latches Lane, Merion, Pa. 19066.
Contact Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or sdowney@phillynews.com.
