Albert 'Al' Ellsworth Suter Jr., 73

Albert "Al" Ellsworth Suter Jr., 73, of Polson, died Thursday, June 1, 2006, in Polson. He was the center of his family and adored for his wit, wisdom and love.

Al was born on June 18, 1932, in Portsmouth, Va., to Kathleen Walters and Albert Ellsworth Suter.

He graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va., in 1950, and then went on to attend the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Shortly after, he joined the Air Force and served his country for four years.

Al received his undergraduate degree from Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., where he continued to pursue his graduate studies. Al had a successful 35-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration in air traffic control. He began as an air traffic controller in Norfolk, Va., and then advanced to ATC management positions in airports across the country. His career took him to Washington, D.C., Honolulu, Miami, and finally to Dayton Beach, Fla., where he retired.

Al was a loving and compassionate man to all who knew him, a devoted husband to his wife Martha, and a tender grandfather who loved spending time with his grandchildren. He loved the great outdoors and spent his time in Northwest Montana camping, fly fishing, and pursuing a lifelong passion of playing golf.

He and Martha spent many years traveling throughout the United States.

Their favorite travels were exploring Montana, especially during their backcountry trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

His family and friends will remember his wonderful stories, sharp wit, laughter, sense of adventure and love for his beloved Martha.

His parents, Kathleen and Albert, preceded Al in death.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; sons, Michael and Kenneth; daughters and their spouses, Shannon Suter and Kimo Brown of Honolulu, Robin and Jeff Popp of Jacksonville, Fla., Allison and Tim Gaffney of Virginia Beach, Va., and Tracy Suter of Deep Creek Lake, Md.; and his grandchildren, Timothy and Meghan Gaffney, and Connor Kai Popp.

A memorial service will be held in Al's honor at Deep Creek Lake on July 8.

The family suggests memorial gifts be sent to the Polson Junior Golf Fund, 111 Bayview Dr., Polson, MT 59860.

Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson.