Robert R. Alberts

Robert R. Alberts was born on September 3rd 1955. His childhood was spent in Schenectady, New York, eating at his mother's restaurant, and analyzing the world around him. Bob's natural interest in the world around him fostered his decision to pursue an education in science. As a high school graduate, Bob entered Canton Ag & Tech, where he worked toward earning a degree in Engineering. Following his years at Canton Ag & Tech, he enrolled at Buffalo State University where he furthered his pursuit in the field of engineering with several courses in Mechanical Engineering. As a freshly educated man, Bob moved to Northern Colorado. He quickly became interested in water and wastewater management, and decided he would continue his education with courses in microbiology at Front Range Community College. After a number of years spent working for local municipalities including Fort Collins, Monument, Fort Lupton, and Hudson, Bob managed to achieve the highest operator licenses in the state, in both water and wastewater. By the late 1990's Bob decided to brave the unknown and start his own water & wastewater management firm, now known as Alberts Water & Wastewater Services, Inc. During this time he earned his operator's licensure in several other states including New Mexico, Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Washington. He was also honored to achieve several National Environmental Protection Agency Excellence Awards, as well as several Regional Awards. As it turns out, Bob was a brilliant business man, with a talent for remembering phone numbers…but notoriously, not their owner's names. Bob lived 7 days a week, with at least one phone attached to his ear, and although he might have had a hard time remembering names, he had a real knack for charming his audience in spite of the subject matter…which was, most often, poop. It was this innate sense of charm and humor, paired with his years of experience, which allowed Bob to venture into teaching. Bob began by helping to teach a series of RMWEA hosted seminars, and by 2007, had built his own professional teaching lab at Alberts Water & Wastewater Services, Inc., headquartered in Fort Collins. The lab, at completion, was fully equipped with eight (8) lab stations; each with a sink, phase contrast microscope, stain kits, and sludge samples abound. This new venture allowed him to truly shine in his element, especially when he was accompanied by his friend, and mentor, Dr. Michael Richard. Bob was a problem solver at heart; he loved nothing more than taking on a new client with issues running their treatment plant. Bob was always eager to identify the problem, and then worked vigorously toward a solution. It was perhaps this panache of sorts which led to Bob accompanying Cher to dinner in Vegas, at her request. She was alone at dinner time…and he was the solution….lucky man. It was also during this time of life that Bob discovered a love for fishing…not just rainbow trout from the Poudre either…no, no, that would be too ordinary for a man so naturally "larger than life"…Bob hunted SALMON. Bob was proud to tell folks how he travelled at least once each fishing season to Vancouver, B.C., to spend a week in sometimes pouring rain and rough seas, to bring in a "Big One". It was the highlight of his entire year, and he seldom came home without a "Big Fish" story, and part of the prize pot. Bob was due to leave for Vancouver, in fact, for 2011 fishing season, just this last Friday. Bob left us on a rainy Wednesday, but someone like Bob Alberts never really leaves you...whether it is his booming, "wake a baby across town" voice, his predilection for owning and wrecking numerous Toyota Prius', or his inadvertent "Three Stooges" impressions as he teeter-tottered across a room with a cup, full to the brim, of hot coffee….he was, and will always remain, One of a Kind. Bob is survived by a multitude of friends that span across the country. Some of these lucky folks include; Deb Anthony of Lyons, Colorado, Dr. Michael Richard of Fort Collins, Colorado; Ted Carter, of Red Feather Lakes, Colorado; Don Baker of LaSalle, Colorado; Gary Heidenstrom of Schenectady, New York…and many, many others. He will truly be missed. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, May 28th at 11:30 a.m., in the Main Auditorium at Timberline Church, Fort Collins. A reception to celebrate Bob's life will be held at the AWWS offices, 200 Racquet Drive, immediately following the services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the "BobbyA Microbiology Scholarship Fund" at FirstBank of Colorado, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526 Please visit www.allnutt.com to share your memories of Bob and express your love and support to his many friends.