MADISON – C. Albert “Al” Harr, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg after short battle with cancer. Albert was born on Sept. 4, 1922, in Denver, Colo. During World War II, he served as Corpsman at Fitzsimmons’s Army Hospital in Denver. Albert started his lifelong pursuit of learning when he attended the University of Colorado – Boulder obtaining his B.S. and Masters in bio-chemistry. He also studied at Stanford and at the University of Nebraska. Albert worked for the US Geological Survey (USGS) for more than 30 years and was an early pioneer in the field of hydrology and water resource management. Albert's career took he and his family to several states; Utah, New York and finally in 1974, to Madison where he was a hydrologist for the water resources division of the USGS, retiring in 1982. After retirement, Albert pursued his interest in lifelong learning and languages taking classes at the UW-Madison and self- study becoming rather fluent in Italian and Spanish which he used on his multiple trips to Italy researching his wife’s Italian heritage. Albert made instant friends in Italy keeping in contact by e-mail and even had regular Skype conversations speaking Italian with his friends. While attending the university, Albert met the love of his life, Evelyn (Lepenske) Harr. Albert and Evelyn were married for 63 wonderful years enjoying their life together with children, grandchildren, and friends. They also enjoyed their travels to elder hostels for new learning experiences and especially to one of their favorite spots- Door County where they stayed at B&B’s and enjoyed meeting new people. After his wife’s death in 2005 while in Hospice care, Albert became a committed inpatient volunteer at Agrace HospiceCare where he comforted many people to their journey home. Albert had many friends at Hospice and felt so fortunate to be able to return the loving care the staff and volunteers provided to Evelyn during her time there. We have heard so many wonderful stories about Albert and his work at Hospice and cannot thank the staff enough for their love, care, support and friendships shared with Albert. Albert also volunteered his time helping students with reading at John Muir Elementary. In addition to his love of learning, Albert enjoyed his time woodworking and building furniture for the house. Albert belonged to a club called the ‘woodpeckers’ where he and his friends would ‘meet and gab’ and may even have worked on a project now and again. Albert was a 33rd Degree Mason and Knights Templar at the Middleton Iconic Lodge #180.
Albert is survived by his two children, Susan (Neil) Fortney of Fitchburg and their two children, Alex of New York City, N.Y., and Nathan (Katie) of Columbus, and Jeffrey (Amy) of Minneapolis, Minn. and their two children, Thomas and Emma. A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 11:30 a.m on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Our father will be greatly missed for his patient, giving and caring way with the people he knew. Never wanting for a story, Albert, as our Mom would say – could strike up a conversation and tell a story with anyone that would listen. He had great stories and He loved people.