Allen 'Big Al' Trumbauer, 63
Al Trumbauer was a good man with a big heart who truly liked helping others and often went out of his way to do so. A year after being diagnosed with cancer, he grew corn and other vegetables, and donated them to the Veterans’ food pantry. He was a good friend and very loyal to those he cared about.
He grew up in Breinigsville, Pa., attended local schools and sometimes helped his father, who was an electrical contractor with his own business. He served in the Army from 1966 to 1969, and went to Vietnam, where he worked as a heavy equipment and crane operator. He sure liked his forest green Plymouth Road Runner that he bought after leaving the service!
Al earned an associate’s degree in mechanized agriculture in 1976 from Lassen Community College in Susanville, Calif. He also worked as the ranch foreman on the C.V. Ranch during that time.
He held a variety of positions throughout his working life, such as field coordinator, operation supervisor, crew manager, explosives distributor, and co-owner of Snoring Hound Studios, located in Somers. He also worked at local area businesses like Cenex and Masterpiece Carpet, and was the warehouse manager at Sloan’s Appliance in 1987.
Al was a hard-working, straight-talking man who had a way of motivating others. He was also a free-thinking problem solver who had a knack for getting things done. He didn't fool around!
He enjoyed skiing, bicycling, gardening, hanging out with friends, listening to music and watching concert DVDs. He was the world's worst avid golfer but was the best carpenter's helper you could find!
At the time of his death, Al was waging a battle with lung cancer. He lost the fight of nearly four years on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, at his home in Somers. He died peacefully taking a nap on the sofa.
He was proactive from the start of his diagnosis and never gave up. He was a strong man with a lot of determination and stayed positive throughout most of this time. Al was well respected and had many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles C. and Grace A. Trumbauer; and brother, Richard, who died before he was born.
Al leaves behind his best friend and partner for the last eight years, Rhonda Shotwell of Somers; brothers, David A. Trumbauer and wife, Roseann, of Macungie, Pa., and Robert C. Trumbauer of Hatsfield, Pa.; sisters, Nancy A. Bowman of Whitehall, Pa., and Mrs. L. Mary George of Emmaus, Pa.; as well as various nieces, nephews, close friends and broken hearts.
“Big Al Trumbauer: Finest of the fine, most loyal of the loyal, grower of anything grow-able, who put everything he had into everything he did. His adventure ended 63 years and 349 days after it began. You are loved and we miss you!”
No formal ceremony is planned. His wish was to have a gathering of friends and family in the North Fork of the Flathead River at the bridge on Blankenship Road. Take the North Fork Road and turn right on Blankenship Road. Join us at 2 p.m. on Al's birthday, Saturday, Oct. 6.