Roger Albrecht

Roger C.E. Albrecht, 77

Worcester - In 1961 when Roger C.E. Albrecht became a "Queen's Scout", the British empire's equivalent of an Eagle Scout, the citation read in pertinent part: "You have prepared yourself for service to God and your fellowmen and have shown yourself a worthy member of the brotherhood." It was signed by Elizabeth Rex and the last sentence read, "I wish you God's speed on your journey through life, may it be for you a joyous adventure." When at age 77, he passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, that scout credo proved to be the story of his life. Born in Singapore during the Japanese occupation of that island to parents whose ancestors came from Holland and Portugal, he was reared in the expatriate community noted for their intelligence, industriousness and civic pride. He lived in Melbourne, Australia where he attended a small British private school and attended the University of Melbourne for undergraduate degree.

At age 21, he decided to leave his family and Australia behind and take graduate courses at the University of London where he was accepted into Grey's Inn with aspirations to become a British barrister. It was there that fate's guiding hand changed the course of his life as he met his true love, Patricia (Conlin), then a Fulbright scholar from the far-flung city of Webster, Massachusetts.

After their marriage, the couple returned to the United States where Roger took a position as Personnel Director of the Perkins School for the blind in Watertown, Mass. and Patricia began her teaching career. In 1973 he was offered a similar position at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester. Through this work, he traveled to other colleges and universities and set up workshops throughout New England to pioneer diversity, gender bias and employer sensitivity programs. By 1982, he has joined the administrative staff of the Superior Court of Massachusetts and eventually became the benefits director for the entire trial court. He was renowned for his knowledge and advice concerning retirement benefits for a host of state court employees. After his retirement in 2017, he served as a consultant to the court and tended to the needs of Patricia.

Roger was the epitome of an English gentleman with a calm reassuring demeanor. Wherever he lived and worked, he made lasting friendships. He was a lifelong learner with interests in history, classics, fine clothes and good wine. He also leaves a treasured collection of English regimental lead soldiers.

He leaves his wife Patricia, one daughter, Leah and a wealth of friends. Thanks to Betty Okei, his nurse and caretaker for the past year, Judge Mel L. Greenberg and his wife, Joyce Montag Greenberg, Paul Edgar, Ron and Ann Vanosdol, and Fred and Jean Driscoll, all fast friends for many years.

In keeping with his request and also COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Those wishing to be involved should e-mail mig@highlandlawma.com. Celeste Rice Kimball of the Rice Funeral Home in Worcester is helping with the final arrangements.

ricefuneralhome.com