Robert Altherr

Robert H. Altherr, 95, passed away July 7, 2018, at Northridge Alzheimer’s Care Facility.  He was was born in Kokomo, Indiana on December 23, 1922 to Clarence and Verna Altherr.  He attended Purdue University and got a degree in Chemical Engineering.  He worked for Delco, Monsanto, and finally Sandia Lab in New Mexico where he retired in 1984. He was proud to have been retired longer than he worked.

He leaves behind his wife of 74 years, Mary Ella Sutton Altherr.  He also leaves behind his three children, Barbara Lail ( Charles), Mark R. H. Altherr, and Rebecca Goldsworthy (William).  His grandchildren are Matthew (Corinne), Nathaniel, and Josh (Kristen) Lail;  Erik (Tiffeny), Kyle(Stephanie), and Daniel (Kathryn) Altherr; and Chelse and  Nicole Goldsworthy.  His great grandchildren are, Brenden and Keagen Lane Altherr, Anberlin and Gabriel Altherr, and Charlotte Lail.

Services will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2018, 10:00 a.m., at FRENCH – Wyoming. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery following the service.

My Dad loved words although he was a man of few words.  He read vociferously.  He was known at the library because he walked there every week to exchange books.  He read from W.E.B. Griffin to the Bible.  He read many of the books multiple times and was fond of explaining which of the series he enjoyed the most.

My Dad loved flying.  He learned to fly in the Army Air Corps and became an instructor during the war.  He was a single engine flight instructor and he was a fighter pilot for single engine planes.  He had his own plane for many years and loved to go off on adventures or just to go eat breakfast at another airport with other pilots.

My Dad loved sailing.  He enjoyed the puzzle of sailing to a target and spent many happy hours on his boat with my mom on Lake Heron. He owned and enjoyed his boat for 10 years.

He loved music.  From Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy to Robert Goulet to Hope Church to his time with the New Mexico Barbershop group.  When he was relaxed he often broke into song.

He loved playing golf with his friends.  They would be first off every week so they could get done early and have time to go home and take a nap.  That was important for the group of guys. He celebrated the success of each of his golfing buddies.

He loved Hope Church and served in many capacities over the years.  He and mom were members since 1961 and were faithful in their tithes and time.

My Dad loved a good milkshake and sampled all over the United States.  One of his jobs as a youth was working in an ice cream shop where he dropped a big cylinder of milk on his big toe and that toe was a reminder of that time for all of us.

My Dad was not a judgmental person.  He had plenty he could criticize but he didn’t do it. He was a great listener and was thoughtful before he spoke.

Dad loved Mom.  They were married in Dothan, Alabama on August 5th,1944.  Mom was the firecracker who got Dad off his chair for many adventures all over the world.  He wrote poetry to her and was really a romantic guy.

Dad loved his children.  Each one was unique and Dad was always there when they really needed him no matter their age or circumstance.  He showed his love by doing and helping over the years.  He never imposed but was available when we really needed him.

Dad loved his $3 watches.  He liked saying “That’s a Lincoln not a Ford” about his car.  He would correct us when we would say “I’m mad”, “ No he’d say, you’re angry.”

Dad loved genealogy.  He researched both families to show his family where we came from.  He even took a trip back to Europe to the town where his family came from.

Dad loved Jesus Christ as his Savior and lived his life the best he knew how according to his beliefs.  He served and loved his family and was a man that we loved to be around.