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Rev Robert Grant “Bob” Albertson

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Rev Robert Grant “Bob” Albertson

Birth
Greeley, Weld County, Colorado, USA
Death
6 Feb 2007 (aged 84)
Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA
Burial
Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, USA GPS-Latitude: 38.81578, Longitude: -104.79844
Plot
E00001 000030 0000NE
Memorial ID
View Source
Dr. Robert G. Albertson died peacefully on February 6, 2007, in Tacoma. Born August 15, 1922 in Greeley, Colo., to Cyrus and Clara Albertson, he was the fourth of seven children.

As a radio gunner on a B-25 bomber in World War II, his squadron flew routes between India and China, knocking out bridges and roads to impede the Japanese march across the continent to India and Burma. Following the war, Robert graduated with a degree in history from Northern Colorado State University. On June 14, 1947, Robert married Aileen Louise Dorr of Pasadena, Calif. Robert and Aileen moved to Chicago where he attended the University of Chicago and the Garrett Graduate School of Theology. Later, as a Danforth Foundation Scholar, Robert completed a Ph.D. degree in philosophy of education at Claremont (Calif.) Graduate School. An ordained Methodist minister, Robert served as pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Tacoma (WA) until 1956, when he joined the faculty at the University of Puget Sound. He was professor of religion there until his retirement in 1987. Robert helped found the honors program at UPS and twice served as its director. H also served as director of the Humanities division.

Robert (known as Bob to his friends and students) was a gifted teacher who had an uncanny knack for inspiring students to achieve more than they believed was possible. He instilled in them an appreciation for all faiths and cultures and encouraged them to view themselves as part of a larger world. Robert's experiences in Asia during World WW II convinced him that young Americans should experience the world as students rather than as military personnel of tourists. While at UPS, Robert initiated the Pacific Rim-Asia Study Travel Program to combine the rigor of academics with real-world experience. Robert and Aileen led student groups to the region in 1973-73, 2977-76 and 1981-82. The program continues to this day. In 1985, Robert was honored as the Washington State Professor of the Year and as one of the nation's top ten professors.

Following retirement, Robert and Aileen (who died in 2016) traveled extensively to Japan, Switzerland and Virginia to visit family members. Robert was preceded in death by brothers, James Albertson and Gene Albertson and sister Barbara Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Aileen; daughters Marianne (Daniel) Spiegel; and Richard (Montatip) Albertson, sister Audry McKnight and Ruth Hicks; brother Richard Albertson; and granddaughter Anna Spiegel. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, in Kilworth Chapel on N. 18th and Puget Sound. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Robert G. Albertson Scholarship Fund at the University of Puget Sound.

Thanks to Kathleen Moreno, Find A Grave member for sharing this obituary (bio).
Dr. Robert G. Albertson died peacefully on February 6, 2007, in Tacoma. Born August 15, 1922 in Greeley, Colo., to Cyrus and Clara Albertson, he was the fourth of seven children.

As a radio gunner on a B-25 bomber in World War II, his squadron flew routes between India and China, knocking out bridges and roads to impede the Japanese march across the continent to India and Burma. Following the war, Robert graduated with a degree in history from Northern Colorado State University. On June 14, 1947, Robert married Aileen Louise Dorr of Pasadena, Calif. Robert and Aileen moved to Chicago where he attended the University of Chicago and the Garrett Graduate School of Theology. Later, as a Danforth Foundation Scholar, Robert completed a Ph.D. degree in philosophy of education at Claremont (Calif.) Graduate School. An ordained Methodist minister, Robert served as pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Tacoma (WA) until 1956, when he joined the faculty at the University of Puget Sound. He was professor of religion there until his retirement in 1987. Robert helped found the honors program at UPS and twice served as its director. H also served as director of the Humanities division.

Robert (known as Bob to his friends and students) was a gifted teacher who had an uncanny knack for inspiring students to achieve more than they believed was possible. He instilled in them an appreciation for all faiths and cultures and encouraged them to view themselves as part of a larger world. Robert's experiences in Asia during World WW II convinced him that young Americans should experience the world as students rather than as military personnel of tourists. While at UPS, Robert initiated the Pacific Rim-Asia Study Travel Program to combine the rigor of academics with real-world experience. Robert and Aileen led student groups to the region in 1973-73, 2977-76 and 1981-82. The program continues to this day. In 1985, Robert was honored as the Washington State Professor of the Year and as one of the nation's top ten professors.

Following retirement, Robert and Aileen (who died in 2016) traveled extensively to Japan, Switzerland and Virginia to visit family members. Robert was preceded in death by brothers, James Albertson and Gene Albertson and sister Barbara Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Aileen; daughters Marianne (Daniel) Spiegel; and Richard (Montatip) Albertson, sister Audry McKnight and Ruth Hicks; brother Richard Albertson; and granddaughter Anna Spiegel. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, in Kilworth Chapel on N. 18th and Puget Sound. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Robert G. Albertson Scholarship Fund at the University of Puget Sound.

Thanks to Kathleen Moreno, Find A Grave member for sharing this obituary (bio).


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