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ALBERT SMALL Obituary

SMALL Albert H. Small D.C. real estate developer and philanthropist, dies at 95 Albert H. Small, real estate developer and philanthropist, who helped shape the residential housing and commercial building landscape across the Washington, DC metropolitan region, peacefully passed away on October 3, 2021, at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. He was less than two weeks shy of his 96th birthday. Mr. Small was born in Washington, DC, and raised in this city by his parents, Albert and Lillian Small. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School and the University of Virginia, where he received a degree in chemical engineering. Mr. Small also served as a second lieutenant in the United States Navy during WWII. After completing his bachelor's degree and military service, Mr. Small co-founded Southern Engineering Corporation in 1950, which developed over 12,000 apartment units and 2,000 single-family homes (including one of the region's premier condominium developments - Parc Somerset) in numerous award-winning communities across the mid-Atlantic region. Mr. Small also developed more than one million square feet of commercial office space in downtown Washington, DC and Greenbelt, Maryland. While real estate development dominated most of his professional life, Mr. Small possessed an enduring passion for learning about American political history and examining the architectural foundations of the nation's capital. In this spirit, Mr. Small devoted a considerable amount of time during his evenings and weekends, meticulously researching, cataloguing, and assembling a comprehensive collection of American historical documents, books, manuscripts, and maps. As a civic-minded philanthropist, who sought to share his appreciation of American history with future generations, Mr. Small endeavored to donate his extensive collection of presidential documents (including an original, Declaration of Independence) to the University of Virginia, where he established the Albert and Shirley Small - Special Collections Library. In a similar vein, Mr. Small donated his voluminous collection of rare maps, engravings, and documents on Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia to the George Washington University, where he established The Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection. Additionally, Mr. Small developed a deep-seated interest in memorializing one of the foundational events of the 20th Century, the D-Day Campaign in 1944, which he felt had a profound impact on the world we know today. His vision culminated in the establishment of the Albert H. Small Normandy Institute, a multi-purpose educational institution for teenagers and high school teachers to thoroughly study the significance of D-Day and visit the beaches of Normandy to observe first-hand, the heroic sacrifices made by thousands of young American soldiers. While, his commitment to preserving and disseminating knowledge of our nation's history remained central to his philanthropic vision, Mr. Small actively sought to further these values by serving on the boards of several institutions and organizations, including, the Aspen Institute, U.S. State Department Rooms, University of Virginia's Board of Visitors, the Kennedy Center's National Symphony Orchestra, National Museum of the American Indian, the National Archives Foundation, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Historical Society of Washington, the Tudor Place Foundation, the National Gallery of Art, the James Madison Council of the Library of Congress, and the Life Guard Society of Mount Vernon. In conjunction with his close involvement with these institutions, Mr. Small actively participated in various national organizations, including the Young President's Organization, the Chief Executives Organization, the National Association of Homebuilders and the Urban Land Institute. Ultimately, as a tribute to his life-long commitment to deepening the nation's understanding of its political and architectural history, Mr. Small was awarded The National Humanities Medal by President Obama in 2009. Similarly, in recognition of his long-standing public service, Mr. Small was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service in 2016, by The George Washington University and on October 1, 2021, he was named at the university's 200th Anniversary Monumental Alumni Award Ceremony. When he was not building homes, collecting historical manuscripts, and supporting the growth of academic and public institutions, Mr. Small could be found playing tennis or golf with friends at Woodmont Country Club. While, not on the courts or fairways, Mr. Small could be found tending to his diverse array of flowers and vegetable plants in his backyard garden. Mr. Small also had a penchant for classic/vintage cars, which prompted him to take his children and grandchildren on annual road trips to auto shows and donating his vast toy car collection to the Smithsonian Institute. Finally, regardless of the season, Mr. Small was particularly fond of spending quality time with his family and friends - skiing, photographing, and enjoying the natural beauty of Aspen, Colorado. Mr. Small is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Shirley Schwalb Small; children, Susan (Gerald), Albert, Jr. (Tina) and James (Anayansie); grandchildren, Robert (Marissa), Stephen, Albert, Benjamin, Isabella, and Gabriella; niece, Patricia Alper Cohn (David); nephew, Richard Alper (Kate); and brother-in-law, Jacob Schwalb (Sandra). Mr. Small was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Lillian, and his beloved sister, Carolyn Small Alper. A private, graveside funeral service will be held on October 6, 2021. A special memorial service honoring Albert H. Small will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia; The Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum; and The Albert H. Small Normandy Institute.Share a memory or send condolences to the family at www.sagelbloomfield.com A private, graveside funeral service will be held on October 6, 2021. A special memorial service honoring Albert H. Small will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia; The Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum; and The Albert H. Small Normandy Institute.Share a memory or send condolences to the family at www.sagelbloomfield.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post from Oct. 5 to Oct. 10, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for ALBERT SMALL

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Garlen Dedics Neely

March 22, 2023

I have such fond memories of my days at Southern Engineering as Albert's executive secretary. He was such a kind, generous and understanding boss, and Sonny is just like him. I won't ever forget him, Shirley, Hermen, Scotty, Nate, Lola, Twila and Cheryl. I am so sorry for your loss.

Lee Caplin

January 21, 2023

Condolences to the family of this most honorable gentleman.
I knew Mr Small through my father Mortimer Caplin, whom Mr Small honored every year at his dinner commemorating the Normandy Invasion, in which my father took Part on D-Day on Omaha Beach.

Susan Berkson

October 16, 2021

Sending sympathy. My father Jacob knew Mr Small at UVA.

Rabbi/Cantor Arnold Saltzman

October 7, 2021

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Albert Small. During the course of my 40 plus years in Washington, DC as Cantor and Rabbi, Mr. Small was an enthusiastic and generous supporter of my creative work in opera, symphonies and ballet. He supported my third symphony, 'An American Symphony', especially due to the historic theme of the founding fathers and religious freedom, and more recently my 4th symphony, A Choral Symphony: Halevi. A man to be admired for his strong American and Jewish identity, including his support for the Capitol Jewish Museum and his belief in its mission. He made it known that it was important that the saving of the 19th century Adas Israel building was essential in also generating the saving of 6th and I, and now also generating a new home for the Capitol Jewish Museum. An amazing businessman, and creative thinker interested in education and history, he made an impact on the community for almost a century
, and which will likely influence the next hundred years. May the memory of his life continue to inspire his family and friends. May his memory be for a blessing, as his life was a blessing.
Rabbi/Cantor Arnold Saltzman

Zivan Cohen

October 6, 2021

Dear Sonny,
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your distinguished father. I remember fondly working with him on Israel Bonds and various building projects like Park Somerset. He was always very friendly and warm. Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Zivan Cohen

Teresa A. Sullivan

October 6, 2021

Albert Small was a great friend to the University of Virginia, and his influence extended to many parts of UVA. I personally was grateful for his friendship.

Lawrence P. Mann

October 6, 2021

He was a great man in every sense of the word. I'm proud to have called him a friend

Gary Morris

October 5, 2021

My thoughts and prayers to Mr. Small's family. Mr. Small's work has touched the lives of thousands if not millions of people. Though he is no longer with us, he will be remembered forever by the lives that he blessed. Thank you for all that you have done. - Gary Morris - Former Head Teacher - Albert H. Small Normandy Institute.

Frank Titus

October 5, 2021

RIP AL.

Laurence Levitan

October 5, 2021

Albert did much for the Community and it was my pleasure to know and work with Al over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family

Shelley Mulitz

October 5, 2021

Dear Family,
I´m sending my love and heartfelt condolences to each of you.
Much Love,
Shelley Mulitz

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