Albert William Dick

1940 - 2011

ALBERT WILLIAM DICK
February 3, 1940 ~ April 12, 2011

Hoonah resident Albert William Dick, 71, died April 12, 2011, at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. He was T'akdeintaan (Raven/Seagull Clan), from Tax' Hít (Mt. Fairweather House), and Wooshkeetaan Yatx'i (son of the Shark Clan).

Albert was born Feb. 3, 1940, in Juneau, Alaska. He spent his entire childhood in Hoonah before graduating from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in 1960. He attended college at Haskell Institute in Kansas, graduating in 1963 before enlisting in the U.S. Army and serving his country in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged in 1965, he attended Alameda Junior College in Oakland and married his wife, Jacqueline, in 1969.

He and his wife moved back to Hoonah in 1975 to raise their son and, later, daughter in a community structure inherent with the values and beliefs of their Tlingit culture. It was through his children that Albert realized the importance of serving and leading his community and its residents. Albert went from being a small business owner and fisherman to serving in a number of public service capacities, including becoming a longtime mayor of Hoonah, chairman of Huna Totem Corporation, and a leader in many non-profit organizations dedicated to representing and improving the lives of his Alaska Native people, and residents of Hoonah.

His family will remember Albert as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother who put family first above all else; as a dedicated public servant that worked not just for the community, but for his kids and future generations; and as a father who had a clear vision in his mind for his family and community. He touched many lives through his work and was respected by many people for his humor, gentle and kind nature, and willingness to give unconditionally.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Dick, Sr. and Edna (Sheakley) Dick; and brothers, Raymond Dick and William Dick, Jr.

Albert is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jacqueline Dick of Hoonah; daughter Christina Cornelia Dick; and son Russell Albert Dick and daughter-in-law Brenda. He is also survived by his grandsons Tevin Michael Dick and Cavan William Dick; his brother Harold Dick, Sr.; and sisters Winona Dick and Cornelia Koenig and brother-in-law Joel; as well as many loving nephews and nieces. In addition to his direct family members, Albert was very close to his first cousins William "Ozzie" Sheakley, Warren Sheakley, Jr., and Legia Pate.

Services will be held in Hoonah on Wednesday and Thursday, April 20 and 21.