Roy Clare Albertus, 100
Roy Clare Albertus passed away in Kalispell on Feb. 26, 2024, surrounded by loving family members. He was 100 years old.
He was born Feb. 5, 1924, in Oacoma, South Dakota, to his parents Arthur and Clara Albertus. He learned the principles and rewards of hard work while living on a farm. His parents moved to Roseburg, Oregon, with their family of five boys. One day while he was in the orchard a young girl decided to throw apples at him. Little did he know they would meet again.
During WWII he joined the Army Air Corp in the early 1940’s where he became a pilot by completing flight training on the B25 Mitchell Bomber. WWII ended before he could be sent to the Pacific or Europe. He returned to Roseburg and worked as a state trooper. This is where he met the young girl again. He married Barbara, the love of his life on May 26, 1949. They built a home in Coquille, Oregon, and had six children before they moved to Kalispell, in 1960.
NW Montana allowed him to do all the things he loved. Raise his family, work at the plywood plant, hunt for elk, hike, and fish. Here he built a home for his family and an A frame cabin for them all to relax and make a splash in Echo Lake. With all but two of the children raised and away from home in 1973, he took a job in Panama to manage a Plywood and Lumber plant.
While working in Panama he acquired many of the exotic woods found in the products he made. Once back in the states he was tasked with moving a plywood plant from Polson, Montana to Whitehall, New York, where they started manufacturing plywood. Next, he reopened a closed plywood plant in Bessemer, Michigan. His last major job was to build a plywood plant in Manchester, Kentucky.
Roy was active in the Flathead Valley community and as a 4-H leader he taught forestry and woodworking. He had many students both young and old which he taught the craft of fine woodworking. His many products can be found throughout the US and even in the UK.
Over the years Roy and Barbara were able to travel to many countries in South America, Central America, Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. They shared many of these trips and memories with family members.
Roy and Barbara were married for 73 years before she preceded him in death.
He is survived by children, Rodney Albertus (Don Broad) of Kingman, Arizona; Kathleen Burke of Jordan, Minnesota; Michael Albertus of Kalispell; Arthur Albertus (Lois) of Grand Prairie, Texas; Patrick Albertus (Debra) of Tacoma, Washington; and Tina Mauzey (John) of Kalispell. Also, eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Roy would not be offended at all if in the years to come you wanted to plant a tree in his memory. Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.
