Robert J. Albrecht

1926 - 2018

Robert J. Albrecht, 92, of Endicott, N.Y., died after a short illness on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018.

Robert was born June 11, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Collinwood High School in 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy two weeks later.

He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, receiving the Asia Pacific, The Philippine Liberation and Victory medals.

He was employed by TRW Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio, for 20 years, including a four-year apprenticeship and later became a chief industrial engineer of a newly formed electronics division. He retired from IBM in Owego, N.Y., after 22 years as a staff value engineer in Federal MS and Avionics Systems.

He was a member of Most Holy Rosary Church in Maine, N.Y., and along with his wife, he was active in the Broome County Right to Life committee.

Bob had a unique and great sense of humor (after all, his father's middle name was Hilarius - really). The Great Depression was his best teacher. When he was six years old in 1932, he sold self-sharpening scissors going door to door. He "hawked" newspapers after Cleveland Indians baseball games and had regular paper routes in his teens.

His sharp wit and intellect will be missed by his children and grandchildren for whom he would write humorous "E.B." notes with clues and bad puns to help their search for Easter baskets each year. He lived by a few of his favorite quotes: "Almost everything done in moderation is all right, except smoking; even moderation is good if you don't overdo it," "If I weren't so modest, I could brag about a lot of things" and especially, "I have led a charmed life, and my wife, family, and friends made it all possible." In recent years, he was quick to say, "Growing old is not for sissies."

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 48 years, Lenore Steigerwald; parents, Mary E. Recker and Anton H. Albrecht; infant brother, Howard; grandson, Daniel; brother, William J. and his wife, Jane; sister, Loretta M. Lesak and her husband, Frank; and Lenore's sisters and their spouses. He was the last of his generation.

He is survived by his three children, Mark and Maureen Albrecht, Shavertown; Jennifer and Michael Donovan, Endicott, N.Y.; and Jonathan and Mary Ann Albrecht, Endicott, N.Y.; his grandchildren, Devin Albrecht, Nathan Albrecht, Jeremy Donovan, Erin Donovan, Thomas and Jackie Albrecht, and Elizabeth Albrecht; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob's family thanks Dr. Alan Miller, Dr. Regina Frants and their staffs for their years of quality care.

Calling hours for Robert will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Allen's Memorial Funeral Home, 511-513 Main St., Endicott, N.Y.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in Most Holy Rosary Church in Maine, N.Y. Burial will be in Ohio, at the convenience of the family.