Thank you, Marilyn and Erin, for giving everyone the opportunity to share stories and fond memories about Doug. Doug and I pretty much grew up together. His sister Joyce was my best friend from elementary school, and my brother Ozzie was one of his. Staying at his house with Joyce was always so much fun. I remember Doug's funny wit at the dinner table and his mom would firmly tone him down. Then when she walked away, one of the older brothers would say "why do you always want to get us in trouble" and we would all laugh (very quietly). Brats! Lol. Was he the rebel child? Yes, I would say that he was. In a good way though. His free spirit and light hearted humor always set him aside. Every moment of his life was lived to the fullest!!

A bit later in life, after high school, Doug and Ozzie roomated with 2 other guys, Bob Kalo and Doug Whitten, and the real fun got started. None of us were kids anymore, lol. No parents, no rules, no curfews! So many memories at the farm house. That's what I called it but I knew they called it something else. When I visited Doug a few weeks ago I asked him to remind me what 'they' called the farm house, and Doug told me that they called it the "Lodge", with a grin.  It was like a lightbulb turned on when he told me that. Suddenly all the memories flooded in as to why they called it the Lodge. Funny, they called it the lodge because my brother, Bob, and Doug Whitten would have girls in and do their guy thing. (rolling my eyes) Doug didn't really ever get involved in that because he preferred to go hunting rather than hang out with dingy girls. Doug's genuine nature and respect for women was more important to him. This is one of the reasons he was so special. He always judged boys that I would like, telling me that they were not good enough for me. I'd say "why are you acting like you're my big brother right now", and he would say "because I basically am". There's that genuine nature again, and it always shined like a beaming light through those blue eyes! 

In 1979 I moved away and everyone gradually lost touch with each other until cell phones and especially social media. Many years ago I got a call on my mobile phone. It was my old friend Doug Albrecht!! His sister Joyce and I had reconnected too. We have stayed intouch since then several times a year. He always shared pictures of his beautiful family and I loved hearing how he was building their house in the mountains. It was like his childhood dreams had come true. I was so proud of him! I got the pleasure of seeing that home in the mountains and finally meeting his family that he always spoke of with so much love! In meeting Justin and Erin, I see Doug's kindness in both of them. Justin is a gentlemen just like his daddy! Well, they got a lot of that from their Mama too. Marilyn is everything Doug has always told me she was. I loved them all the same day I met them. And Ava!! The apple of Doug's eye. He loved sharing pictures of her. He loved her so much! His family and friends mean't everything to him!

I could go on forever, but I won't. All the pictures shared here were so great to see! His high school, when he was a small kid, football, Jr. High, hunting with his friend. I am especially glad that over a lifetime of years, he still considered me one of his dear friends. He will be loved and missed forever!!

My continued love and prayers go out to Marilyn, Erin, Justin, Ava, Joyce and the entire Albrecht family. 

Doug was the Man when it came to tile laying.  There was no one better!  He taught me the trade which I used a lot helping friends and family.   We often would have a good laugh about a "Bank Job" we did one night after a bank closed on a Friday.  I was there with several other guys to tile this entire bank.  Me and another guy were in charge of the final cleaning.  This was my first time doing tile so I didn't know all the ends and outs of the trade.  I think the guy who was helping me might have been a rookie as well because he was ok with us dumping the water filled with grout residue down the toilets.  We must have dumped  hundred 5 gallon  buckets of this stuff down the toilets before Doug realized we had done that.  He wasn't happy!  At that point there was really nothing we could have done to correct the situation.  I"m sure he prayed for months that  he didn't get a call saying the  drains were all plugged up . Rest in Peace Doug, Love you Buddy!