Larry E. Alber

Larry Alber, departed this world Saturday, July 22, 2023. Born November 14, 1945, he grew up in Manchester, Michigan. He is preceded in death by both parents, Earl and Erma Alber of Manchester and his only brother Lynn of North Adams Michigan. He is survived by three beloved dogs, and his wife Pat, of Charlotte, MI. They have been together for 46 years.

Larry was drafted into the Army in 1968, and was very grateful that his entire military service was spent stateside (mostly in Fort Lewis, Washington) and was honorably discharged in 1970. Larry worked for the Michigan Department of Transportation as environmental liaison and retired from the State in 1997. He took an early retirement from the State on the day it was announced, saying that he heard the announcement of an early out on the radio during his morning commute and he was in the Personnel office signing up within the hour. From that point forward he became a full-time farmer, an occupation he had enjoyed “part-time” ever since he had purchased property in the Charlotte area in 1974. In addition to the standard crops of wheat, corn and soybeans, the couple added Highland Cattle to their farm in 1983. Since that time they have become recognized breeders of registered breeding stock and a herd of the cattle is still maintained at the farm.

Larry was kind and generous with friends and family, but a force to be reckoned with, especially during a euchre game. He had an abiding love for the land, in particular for those wildlife habitats that existed or could be built; maintaining fencerows where he could, creating wetlands when possible and always mindful of forest sustainability. He loved his beer, with the good sense to drink microbrews well before microbrews were a thing.

Ever the intrepid explorer, Larry loved to camp and travel. In 1980, to celebrate his wife’s graduation from college, he requested and received 3 months time off without pay, and the two traveled by car out through Canada to the west coast and then down into the US for a return trip through the southwestern states, tent camping (no camper top or RV for Larry) for all but 5 nights of the entire 3 month trip. This leave of absence began a lifelong love of long-distance travel and he managed to drag his couch potato wife on numerous vacations to more exotic locales. He was the driving force behind trips to the Soviet Union, (both European and Central Asian locations) the Galapagos (twice) , Peru (twice), the Caribbean, Baja California, Scotland (origin of all those Highland cattle) Cambodia, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, Tanzania and Kenya.

Larry never forgot who he was or from where he came. He lost the ability to move easily which became progressively worse and then the ability to communicate clearly, except for brief interludes when his speech was clear and concise. His memory was sharp as a tack. He was grateful always for what he had been given in life and what he had been able to accomplish. He regretted only that he could no longer do all those things that he had always cherished. He is dearly loved and he will be missed.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry's honor to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S Cochran, Charlotte, MI 48813.