After a long illness, Robert L. (Bob) Albright, 77, passed away peacefully on Oct. 21 at the Mercy Hospice House in Durango, Colo. He was born on July 1, 1944, in Ft. Myers, Fla., to the late Richard J. (Dick) and Jean Deckard Albright.
Bob grew up in Clarks Hill, Ind., graduating from Lauramie High School in 1962 and Evansville College in 1966. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Capt. Albright served from 1966 to 1972 first as a scout pilot in the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in South Vietnam, where he survived being shot down four times, then as part of the Special Ammunition Support Command at Rhein-Main AFB in Frankfurt, West Germany. He was the recipient of many medals and awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star. He was a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and the American Legion.
He owned and operated Albright Oil Company in Albuquerque, N.M., for over 20 years. It was here in 1980 that he met LaVerna Phillips, who eventually became his lifelong friend and partner. They married on April 24 of this year. In 1993, following the sale of the business, Bob spent time in Colorado and soon settled in Pagosa Springs, where he worked as a Realtor for several years.
He leaves behind his wife, LaVerna, a daughter from a previous relationship, France Dominique Louie, of Grenoble, France; two grandchildren, Jules and Clovis; a sister, Margaret (Peg) Mellady and her husband, Tom, of Lafayette, Ind.; seven nephews; two nieces; four great nephews; and three great nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jim and two sisters, Susan and Judy.
Bob loved God and his country. He was a good man and a generous friend to many. He will be missed. Military honors and burial in a VA National Cemetery are planned for the spring.
