 Interviewing Albert allows an observer to see that at the age of 78,
Bob hasn't lost a bit of enthusiasm for this community and life in
general. In fact his entire demeanor and love for life belies the
fact he is 78 years old. When asked why he was still going to his
office and working, he was quick to respond: "I enjoy meeting people
and people meeting me. I enjoy this."
Bob also has another enjoyment, a passion that he truly enjoys.
Before answering any questions, Bob had to show a slide show of
pictures he took at Lake Springfield this past spring. A boater had
accidentally backed his truck into Lake Springfield, and Bob was on
hand to document the disaster as well as the wrecker working to pull
the truck and boat back out of the water. He proudly noted that the
Springfield paper asked for some of his pictures for their
publication.
Like everything in his life, Albert has an enthusiasm about his
hobby, and he has excellent cameras and software to help make his
passion enjoyable. He never goes anywhere without his cameras now,
as one never knows when that one great picture might make itself
available to Bob's discerning eye.
Bob fully understands how much the world has changed in his
lifetime, mentioning that he was born at home in 1930 in
Bloomington. He had to add that the phone number for the doctor who
delivered him was 33.
Albert has a quick, subtle wit to accompany his constant smile.
In his notes, he mentioned he recollected an early childhood memory:
"I remember the doctor coming to work on my brother Bill's finger
when he caught it in the washing machine wringer, and had it
shortened."
The Albert family moved to Lincoln when Bob was 9, and it was as
a freshman at Lincoln Community High School that he met the love of
his life, Janette. The two dated for four years, and Bob fondly
noted that the day they were married, July 9, 1950, at 4 p.m. was
the most important day of his life.
Bob's first career was as a butcher for the family grocery store,
but he and his brother Bill began to work as carpenters in their
free time. It was this union that formed Albert Brothers
Construction. Bob also decided to obtain a realtor's license so the
firm could sell the houses they were building back in 1962. To this
day, Bob has an office at Albert Realtors, 511 N. Kickapoo.
[to top of second column] |
Albert became active in this community from the time he was a young
man and has continued his community involvement to this day. Besides
his activities with the chamber, he has been a Rotarian since 1964,
holding the organization's presidency in '73-74, and twice has been
named Rotarian of the year.
He has been a member of Zion Lutheran Church since 1939 and was
named an elder in 1973. He has been active on the board of Abraham
Lincoln Memorial Hospital, twice being the chairman of the board, in
1973-75 and again in 1999-2000. He is currently on the board at The
Oasis.
Over the years, Albert has been active in many other capacities,
including the President Lincoln Motel Association, Junior
Achievement, Logan County Board of Realtors and the ALMH Foundation.
Although Albert has had three heart bypass surgeries, he still
chooses to lead an active life and continues to enjoy the traveling
that he and Janette did together for more than half a century. The
couple's travels included two trips to Europe and Chile, besides all
across America. Bob now uses his skills as a photographer to create
lasting memories of his trips.
Bob's 57-year marriage to Janette ended with her death on Sept.
6, 2007. He stated that it was the greatest loss of his life but
says that his five children were his proudest possession after that
tragedy.
Bob's five children are Linda Sue Sheley, Diana Lynn Lally, Susan
Kay Streicher, Gayle Ann Caskey and Michael Robert Albert.
It can be surmised that all of his children, from time to time,
have to take a few minutes to allow their father to show them his
latest pictures. Like everything Bob Albert has done for this
community, they no doubt are picture-perfect.
[By
MIKE FAK]
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