News Death Notice

ALBRECHT, Dr. Joseph Merrill 1928-2014 Dr. Joseph Merrill Albrecht, of Lisle, IL, formerly Oakwood, Ohio, died November 3, 2014, age 86. Long associated with Miami Valley and Kettering hospitals in Dayton, Ohio, and an associate professor of clinical studies at Wright State University, he was in Family Practice. Dr. Albrecht was born April 30, 1928 to Lula Frances Albrecht (nee Day) and Verne Brent Albrecht in Mount Vernon, IL. Joseph graduated from Otterbein College in 1950 and began working at Monsanto for the Atomic Energy Commission. He married Peggy Altenburg in 1951 and began medical school at Ohio State University where he served as president of his junior and senior classes. Dr. Joe joined the practice of Drs. Jacobs and Wells in 1959 then later joined the office of Drs. Worthman and Meyer. He retired from South Dayton Family Physicians in 1995 but continued serving at the Dayton Outreach Clinic. He was awarded for his 50 years of service from the Ohio State Medical Association. Dr. Albrecht was a member and frequent soloist at Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Dayton Bach Society, the Dayton Opera, and with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, where he served on the board of Trustees. He was honored in 1977 when the Joseph Albrecht family was named the "Ohio Musical Family of the Year" by the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs. Dr. Albrecht is survived by his devoted wife Peggy of 63 years, his daughter Gretchen Canfield, his sons-in-law, Dwight Canfield, and Randall Easterbrook, his six grand-children, Marguerite Easterbrook, George Easterbrook, Hope Easterbrook, Jared Canfield, Miriam Canfield, and Grace Canfield, sister-in-law Joan Albrecht, and dear nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Jean McIntosh, John Albrecht, Joyce Clements, his beloved daughter, Heidi Albrecht Easterbrook, and his infant grand-daughter, Mariel Frances Easterbrook. A memorial service will be held on November 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Interment at Woodland Cemetery. Services in care of Tobias Funeral Home Far Hills - Condolences @ wwwtobiasfuneralhome.com

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Published by Dayton Daily News on Nov. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph ALBRECHT

Sponsored by Tobias Funeral Home - Far Hills Chapel.

31 Entries

Deborah Ferruccio

November 6, 2023

To the Lehman clan, Uncle Joe was the epitome of kindness and perfection!

Dr. A.J. Haacke

November 6, 2022

My previous message of previous years needs to be spoken once again; those words describe one of the most caring and loving individuals who ever entered our lives. His devotion to all of whom he was to treat in his practice will never forget his touch as if it were from our God.

Dr. Joe Haacke

November 7, 2020

Dr. Albrecht was possibly the most caring, loving and thoughtful of the thousands of men who have passed my way in life. Not only his compassion for others, he had God given vocal chords that he used for the benefit of all those within earshot of his countless appearances. My God Rest his Soul

Nicole Henry

November 6, 2020

Dr/Uncle Joe shall never be forgotten, nor will his wonderful family...With Love and Respect, Niece Nicki Peth Henry

Dr. Joe Haacke

November 6, 2019

I had the good fortune to have been able to share a portion of my life with the Albrecht family. This could be one of the top highlights of my life. How can one family be so talented and yet so willing to share these talents to all of us. There has been and nor will there will be a family that I could admire more than the Albrecht family. They truly have been God's children. Rest in peace, Dr. Joe

Irene Slorp

June 13, 2016

I am so sorry to read that he died. I was 20 years old back in 1965 when he became my Dr. He delivered my only child. What I loved about him was he always remembered to ask about my son. More Doctors should
have the bedside manners he had. He cared, he honestly cared about people in general.

November 27, 2014

Friends & family of Dr. Albrecht, deepest sympathies.

Debi Matheny

November 25, 2014

Doctor Joe was the best doctor anyone could ever ask for he was my moms doctor she didn't like mine I was 7 when I first saw him. He was both mine and mom's doctor till he retired. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you Peggy and Gretchen and your family's Ida and Debra Matheny

November 23, 2014

Dear Peggy and Gretchen- The celebration of Joe's life yesterday at Westminster was very meaningful and his was certainly a life to celebrate. We appreciated the participation of the grandchildren and also the sharing of the family pictures in the social hall. My daughter, Julie Jeffery, joins Bill and I in sending our love and condolences to all your family.
Do you remember, Peggy, when you asked Julie to be the third wise man with Heidi and Gretchen when you were presenting a Christmas program at the Dayton Art Institute? That was special for her.
We send our love and sympathy,
Joyce Newcomb

Pia Kanistros

November 20, 2014

To All the Family & Friends of Dr. Albrecht:
I had the honor of occasionally working with Dr. Albrecht as a RN at Kettering Medical Center. He was such a gentleman, and a wonderful professional that reflects a figure of what a Doctor should be. May he rest in peace, comfort & joy. May his memory be eternal. His voice will be angelic to those in heaven. I did have an opportunity to hear him sing. My God hold you all near during this time of loss and grief.

Joyce Campana

November 20, 2014

Dear Mrs. Albrecht and Gretchen, I have been thinking of you so much and am keeping you in my prayers - that you may find peace and strength at such a sad time. I will always remember Dr. Albrecht as one of the most kind and gentle people I've ever met. He had a wonderful way of talking to a person, asking interesting questions, listening intently and then making them feel so valued! What a gift he had! The picture shown here of him is exactly how I remember him and how I always will - looking out with optimism, humor and great care! God bless you and hold you in His loving embrace, Gretchen and Mrs. Albrecht! Love always, Joyce Campana

Mary Arnett

November 20, 2014

I apologize for omitting my name from the message below, which begins "I am honored...." I remember all of your family with great fondness.

Ralph Rolfe

November 19, 2014

Dear Peggy and Gretchen,

Even though I only knew Joe for a few brief months, I quickly gained a great deal of respect for both him and, you, Peggy. You and your family have touched so many lives in so many positive ways and I am so sorry to learn of Joe's passing. Please know that you and the rest of the family are in my prayers in this time of loss.

November 19, 2014

I am honored to add my words to all these beautiful tributes. I send my love and prayers to Gretchen and Peggy and all your family. My first acquaintance with Joe was through Westminster's choir. There was a special vocal quality in the choir whenever he was singing. My second acquaintance was as his patient. He always gave me his full attention. My favorite memory is the time a famous opera diva wandered into the choir room looking for the Dayton Opera rehearsal. Joe offered to take her to the neighboring church, and returned later with a huge lipstick kiss on his check. He had to go to the drugstore to buy the lipstick! He was one of my all-time favorite people.

November 19, 2014

Dear Aunt Peggy, Cousin Gretchen, and the Whole Extended Albrecht Family,

Even though I am not able to join you in person at Uncle Joe's funeral and celebration of life this coming Saturday, I will be there in spirit for certain. I will visualize the sanctuary of your church as I experienced it at Heidi's passing, the sanctity of the service, the golden hue of the pipes and the colors of lit stained glass, the way the voices of your family, friends, and church family filled up the holy space, musically and prayerfully embracing Heidi and all of the Albrecht family with their love.

I will visualize with my ears similar moments to those indelibly written in my heart when Heidi's earthly and etheric voice sang out to all of us, both wrenching us with the pain of her early loss and consoling us with the reality of her spiritual permanence.

I will visualize with my ears Uncle Joe's voice likewise filling the sanctuary, the congregation riveted to him heart-to-heart.

And with the sound of his voice, I will visualize each person in the congregation present with Uncle Joe in their own personal memories with him, for me, images of his infectious smile, the way he always made me feel on the softball field at family reunions, encouraging and cheering on his tom-boy niece.

I will visualize how Uncle Joe is the embodiment of what it is to live in Christ and how his dazzling presence will be smiling upon you and comforting you, Aunt Peggy, you, Gretchen, and all of you who are his beloved family.

Much love,

Deborah

November 18, 2014

Dr. Albrecht was our doctor and our friend, and we treasured him for his endless kindness and care and patience. Joe was also a valued musician-colleague, frequently performing with us and the Dayton Bach Society. He was a true professional in every sense--always prepared, open to suggestions, and always at his best for the performance, when it counted. I think he was also a "closet conductor"--every time I came in for a medical check-up, he insisted on showing me his conducting technique before the exam could continue.

Our sympathy to Peggy and the Albrecht family.

Richard Benedum and Julane Rodgers

Linda Cooper

November 18, 2014

I met Dr Joe when I was five my family is the late Ed Smith (florist) and Martha Smith there were six of us kids Dr. Jacob and Wells were our initial
doctors. Dr Joe took over and for the next several years he was my personal
physician for decades. I am Linda Smith Cooper the only girl he always said if you were my daughter this is what I would have you do; I always followed his advice. I used to kid him and tell him he could not retire until he was 90. I so respected him to this day. He had a bedside manner next to none. I always thought I was his only patient because he took so much time talking to me during my appointments. Dr. Robbe is my physician now and he says he learned from the best. I know because he has kept the same virtues as Dr. Joe. What an incredible man. You all are blessed to call him dad. He is and always be my favorite doctor ever. Thank you for sharing this special man. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Doris Colvin

November 17, 2014

So sorry. He was a great guy. My Mom was a patient of his - Florence Upp, and I remember his singing with Peggy at various functions, etc. I remember your wedding, Peggy. Bon Voyage, Dr. Joe. - Doris Upp Colvin

November 17, 2014

Uncle Joe was my Great Uncle. He was a lovely man who consistently carried a gracious, big, warm smile!

Whenever we would have family gatherings, Uncle Joe always made me feel special. He was interested in my tennis and always very eager to learn something new. I am grateful to have had Uncle Joe in my life!

Sadly, I will not be at the funeral..yet, I know Uncle Joe, and Aunt Peggy will understand why...Uncle Joe will be smiling from heaven knowing that our reason for not being in Dayton next weekend is because we are taking our girls to their first ever Broadway play in New York City!

LOVE YOU Uncle Joe!!!
xoxox
Tamara (Peth) Muller

November 17, 2014

Gretchen, my heart goes out to you and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

November 17, 2014

Dr. Albrecht was our family doctor for over 30 years and we had a lot of respect for his opinions. He always took time to spend with us and answer any questions we raised. We really missed him with he retired. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a beautiful voice. No matter how bad you felt when you entered the office, you always left feeling so much better, just talking with him. Our sympathy to his family.
Dick and Barbara Belcher

Jack/Cyd Cotterman

November 17, 2014

Dr Joe sang at our wedding in 1976. Lovely voice. Now he is singing with the angels. The Cottermans

Sandra Jo Seeberger Slater

November 16, 2014

Dr. Joe was our family doctor also. My parents Gene and Harriet met Peggy and Joe while they were at The Ohio State University. He took care of all of us, my sisters Sue, Stephanie and I since birth. He delivered me in April 1964. My parents loved and respected him so much, they named me after him, Sandra Jo. I would say that his care and legacy helped me to decide my life's career in Dietetics. He always took time with us, you knew he really cared. I do the best I can to treat my clients with a similar care and concern that he gave.
I would like to express my sincerest thanks and sympathy to Peggy and Gretchen. His life, love and legacy will continue for generations to come.

A. J. Haacke

November 16, 2014

It is with the deepest sadness that I learn of the passing of Dr. Albrecht, a most remarkable man, from a remarkable family with a remarkable life with his lovely wife Peggy and daughters and family. A man who willingly gave of his outstanding talent in music and comfort from his profession. Our community has lost one of it's greatest. A man whom every person had the highest of admiration. A man of the highest of principles and values of life and lived them every day. His impeccable legacies are a standard for all to achieve and will live on forever. My deepest and most sincere sympathy to the entire Albrecht family. I am blessed to have shared a part of my life with Dr. Joe and benefited greatly by his presence.

susan Emmons-Brown

November 16, 2014

Dr. Joe was the best doctor ever. My father worked with him at Monsanto. He doctored 4 generations of my family. He will be remembered as a loving and caring man. He will be missed.

Deborah Haug-Jay

November 16, 2014

My Mother met Dr. Albrecht at MVH where she was an RN and he was a new doctor. He cared for my Mom, Dad, my two sisters, and until his retirement. Since my sisters and I were about the same ages as Heidi and Gretchen he often said, "this is what I'd do if your girls were my daughters.."
He was truly an amazing man. I will always remember him as a caring and compassionate doctor and a great human being.

Connie Ross

November 16, 2014

Dr.Albrecht was our family doctor for years. He was a wonderful man. yes he had a beautiful singing voice also. He will be missed. My thought and prayer goes out to his family which he loved dearly. May his memories help you at this time.

November 16, 2014

Dr. Joe was the BEST Dr. ever!! He was my Dr. from the time I was 17 until he retired. I was 45 years old and begged him not to leave. He so kindly made me see that he had worked long and hard and deserved to have it a little easier. I'm happy he had a nice long life after leaving his practice. God bless to all of us who had the pleasure of knowing and loving him.

Joyce (Nicodemus) Thomas

Ken Jennings

November 16, 2014

May our thoughts and prayers be with you all. Dr Albrecht was my physician from his beginning practice with Dr Jacob's and Dr.Wells. He provided us the best care throughout the years until his retirement. He always was personalble and caring and a good friend to our family.

Nicki Henry

November 16, 2014

Two words to describe my Dear Uncle Joe Albrecht..."Selfless Gentle-Man"; he gave so much to so many his entire life. I never heard an unkind word ever said about him, as he was always so well respected and will be sorely missed. We shall all miss that radiant smile,wonderful voice, and compassionate healing nature. Love and Sympathy to the entire family, Niece Nicki Peth Henry.

November 16, 2014

The Wright State University Retiree's Association extends our condolences to Dr. Albrecht's family. We also wish to acknowledge his many years of service to our University.

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