Roy L. Albertson Jr.

Roy L. ALBERTSON, Jr. Roy L. Albertson was born June 28, 1930, in Buffalo, NY to Roy and Helen (Ryan) Albertson, and left us on December 7, 2011, in Seattle, surrounded by his loving family. He grew up in Buffalo and Tucson where he was brother to Eleanor, Mary, and Helen. He graduated from Tucson High, went on to the University of Arizona as starting pitcher of the baseball team and turned pro with the Pittsburgh Pirates, progressing through the minor leagues before injuring his arm. In 1953, he married Vivian Grady of Port Washington, Wisconsin and they began married life in El Paso, Texas near where Roy was stationed in the army at White Sands Proving Ground, New Mexico. Following his discharge, he took over the family radio broadcasting business in Buffalo, successfully leading station WBNY-AM towards the new phenomenon of FM radio and a full-time rock-and-roll format. Although still in his 20's, he was recognized as a broadcast pioneer and was President of the Association of Independent Metropolitan Stations (AIMS). In 1957, he moved his family to Prescott, Arizona and started radio stations KNOT in Prescott and KVNA in Flagstaff, often piloting his twin- engine plane between the two. He was an aide to U.S. Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona in the mid-1960's during the enactment of the Central Arizona Project, a massive public works project that brought municipal and agricultural water supplies to Phoenix and Tucson. When he wasn't running the Senator's office, he served as Scoutmaster, Little League coach and father to a growing family. In 1968, the family moved to Washington State, where Roy was associated with KXLY-TV, KOMO-TV and KCPQ-TV. He took to personal computers with enthusiasm and did consulting work with Microsoft before retiring. Roy found great joy in being a grandfather to the next generation of Albertsons, researching his family genealogy, cheering on the Seattle Mariners, and summer trips to the Olympic coast with his extended family. Surviving is wife Vivian, children Chuck, Barbara, Julie, Susan (Brad) Marten, John (Mary), Tom (Elizabeth), Steve (Monica Spain), Dan (Susan), Jeff (Ben Vogt), and thirteen grandchildren. Remembrances may be made in Roy's name to the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County or the public library of your choice. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 21st, 11:00 am at the Lake Union Rowing Club in Seattle (11 E. Allison Street). Notes and memories may be shared on www.royalbertson.com. The family wishes to thank the staff at Aegis Callahan House for their wonderful care of Roy.