Robert “Bob” James Albright, 63, of Williston, N.D., entered into eternal peace surrounded by family Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, Wash.
Bob was born in Watertown, S.D., on April 11, 1950, the son of Harry and Arlene (Cook) Albright. He graduated from Riggs High School in Pierre, S.D., in 1968. He attended one year at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. ,prior to enlisting in the Air Force in 1969.
He was a meteorologist while serving in the Air Force and was stationed in Texas, Illinois, Guam and Montana before receiving an honorary discharge in 1973.
After leaving the military Bob considered his new home Montana.
There he worked as a truck driver, home builder, timber faller and log hauler until 1992 when he purchased Custom Tree Service and, in 1996, received his certification as a certified Arborist. In 2000 the family relocated to Whidbey Island. where he and his wife started and managed two Curves for Women fitness centers.
After selling those businesses, they relocated back to Montana and eventually moved to Williston. where he worked for Plains Marketing as a truck driver hauling crude oil.
Bob was introduced to the opportunities of the great outdoors by his parents at a very young age. He loved hunting and fishing or just being in the woods or on the water in his boat with friends and family.
He was a great teacher of ethical hunting and fishing practices and was always willing to teach those who wanted to learn.
He could sit and talk hunting and fishing stories for hours and never forget where he was, who he was with or what the weather conditions were in recalling his outings. He always thanked God for the animals he took, the fish he caught and the beautiful surroundings he loved so dearly.
Bob is survived by his wife, Debra, at their home in Williston; as well as his children: Rachel Shelton of Lebanon, Ohio; Jamie (Justin) Sartori of Eureka, Mont.; Timmy (Alexandria) Albright of Bellingham,; Tom Albright, of Fairview, Mont.; Chris (Linda) Patton of Whitefish, Mont.; and Ginger (John) Moniz of Kalispell, Mont.; his grandchildren Steven, Dakota, Emma, Alexis, Kora, River, Carly, Adam, Riley, Sullivan, Sutton and Trinity, Ryker, great-grandson Brent, his sister and her husband Becky and Rich Garrison, of Niceville, Fla. and 13 nieces and nephews.
He is preceeded in death by his parents Harry and Arlene Albright and a grandson, Colter.
A memorial service will be held in Kalispell. on a date in April 2014 to be determined.
Bob’s message to family and friends in many more words is Luke 10:27 – You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
