Allbert J. Hebrank Jr.
January 22, 1934 - June 3, 2006
Obituary
Albert John Hebrank Jr., age 72 passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side on June 3, 2006. Al is survived by his wife of 24 years, Ruth Marie Hebrank; daughter, Suzanne Marie Bailey John; three sons, Albert John III Sharon, Robert Michael Kate and Lester Patrick Carrie Hebrank; three step children, Terri Lynn Duncan, Deanna Gayle Hansen Craig and Jeffery Stuart Rotvold; 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; sister, Barbara Ramsey Pete; brother, Robert Hebrank Jean sister-in-laws, Carol Jewett Strnad Ron, Mary Wagner Lanny; brother-in-law, Thomas Bey and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 22nd, 2006 at 1:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, 1005 SW 152nd St., Burien, WA. Memorial donations may be made to St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church in Al’s name. The family has entrusted arrangements to BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 206 242-1787.
Dear Ruth: My deepest sympathies to you. Al was one of a kind and will be missed by everyone that knew him. I first met Al when I worked in Kirkland about 40 years ago. I later went to Montana and when Al was an ACSM director, he would come to the Montana Association meetings and we would talk surveying and the old days in Washington for hours. That has now been more than 20 years. I have been back here now for a while and did get a chance to speak to Al a year ago in Everett. I am very thankful for that. Al will always be my hero.
God bless you and your family.
I am proud to have had Al as my brother-in-law for 24 years. Among my fondest memories are the times he, Ruth, and I went to Ivars on the wharf for fish and chips almost every time I came to visit. Also, we picked up live crab and cooked them at home. I already miss him!
Al, I remember all the conversations and jokes over coffee. I will miss you and know that you are dancing with the stars. You will be greatly missed.
The surveying community has lost a great mentor. He was someone whom promoted the profession and professionalism.
AL was a great surveyor, teacher and man that I am extremely grateful to have met, known and worked with for many years. His legacy will live on forever. All of us at Hebrank, Steadman & Associates will miss him greatly.
Dear Ruth
My deepest sympathies to you during this time. It was such a great pleasure coming to your home every week for the past year. I enjoyed all the time I spent with Al, you and Halo. We shared many good laughs and I learned what a great man you married. He was one of a kind and as I read his many memorials I see he was and will be held close in everyones hearts.
All my thoughts and prayers
Karon Kabba RN
Dear Ruth
My deepest sympathies to you during this time. It was such a great pleasure coming to your home every week for the past year. I enjoyed all the time I spent with Al, you and Halo. We shared many good laughs and I learned what a great man you married. He was one of a kind and as I read his many memorials I see he was and will be held close in everyones hearts.
All my thoughts and prayers
Karon Kabba RN
Our love and prayers for you all.
We feel priviledged to have met Al & you, Ruth because of a survey problem. Al handled our case even when he was not in good health. We will always remember the miracle that happened while he was in the hospital during that time.
Our love and prayers.
Neal & Marge Saffer
Albert J. Hebrank was the best surveyor, the most outstanding professional, and one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known! He was a role model and mentor to all who had the pleasure to know him.
Al was a dear friend, a trusted colleague, and a mentor to me. His memory and influence on our profession will continue indefinitely. Whenever I encounter a particularly challenging survey or ethical conundrum, I always remember four letters: “WWAD”.
They stand, of course, for: “What would Al do?”
Rest in peace, Al!
Al,
You were a giant among men.
You moved the entire profession forward
and left enduring imprints on the career we love.
We miss you.
We revere your memory.
Always,
I spent five great years working with Al on the State Board. His dedication and work ethic was always an inspiration to me. Even when Al wasn’t always well in the last couple of years his contributions were always great.
He will be missed.
Words cannot describe what I feel about Al! Even though he was my stepfather, I considered him to be my dad. He gave me away to Craig 16 years ago, and I will always treasure that moment. There are so many wonderful memories he has left behind for me, and I am truly greatful for them! Josiah, Alyssa, Tyler and Trevor will miss thier Papa Al. We will all miss you.
I love you!
Deanna
Will miss Al, he was always a friend and mentor to many of the younger surveyors.
I was active in WSS/ACSM with Al from 1977-1987 as officers in that organization.
Al rarely missed a meeting, he always was very ethical and a good surveyor. I am proud to be teaching the LSAW Ethics Course that Al helped to teach for so long and then passed it onto Jon Warren who then passed Al’s notes onto me.
When I surveyed my own church awhile back in Fauntleroy, I was glad to match Al’s work, Pinky Palmerton and Tom Kido as well as find the original corners all in the same survey. Now Al our friend is with the Lord.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Al’s family and friends. He was dedicated to the Land Surveying profession and the citizens of Washington. He will be missed by many.
Ruth – Pat and I want to express our deepest regret that Al has passed away. I will always remember him as an unassuming yet powerful man. When I met him formally for the first time when you invited Pat and I to your home for dinnerhe impressed me very much because it was obvious that I had met one of those rare individuals that was always true to his convictions. Later encounters and meetings at surveying events only reinforced those first impressions. Pat and I are very proud and quite lucky to have known him and you. The man he was known as was as much because of you as what was in his heart. All our love and concern go out to you.
Al was always generous and willing to take precious time out of his day to help anyone in need. Al has helped me tremendously as he has so many. All of us in our great profession had this special feeling of professional pride when in the presence of Al. I am definitely a better person and surveyor for having shared some moments with Al. God Bless You My Friend.
We didn’t get the opportunity to know Al intimately, but we feel that the time we were able to spend with him will always stay with us in our hearts. He was an amazing man, full of stories, laughter and life…even in the last days.
It is said that everyone you encounter in life leaves a mark on your soul; a lasting impression. Al has definatly made his mark in this world and in our lives.
We will forever cherish the time we did have with Al.
Our love and prayers are with you and your family….David and Jessica
Al was a factor with LSAW when I became licensed and joined in 1975. His work for LSAW and WA Land Surveyors will not be ignored. My sympathies for his family with hopes that new Land Surveyors will learn of the legacy from this man.
Spent many wonderful hours talking with Al at LSAW board meetings. Will miss him. A loss to our surveying band of brothers.
Rob Erb PLS
Al you were there for me whenever I needed you. You are greatly loved and missed.
We were very fortunate to have Al as one of our Board Members. What a wonderful man. He stood up for what he believed in. He will be missed.
Our thoughts are with you.
Carl and Maxine Berry
Ruth —
Sorry to hear of your loss. Al was a great guy. It has been years since last seeing you both.
I first met him when we were fraternity brothers at the UW. We were both Smokejumpers back when we were young. I will send this to the Smokejumpers magazine for publication.
Tom McCullough
Although we were separated by distance and the time we spent together was perhaps too infrequent, my memories of Uncle Al are precious and as grand as the person he was.
Those memories are of a man who cared deeply for his family, God, and his work and how he took pride in all. I will never forget how he could fill a room with laughter and love, and I will miss his infectious smile and wonderful storytelling.
I pray that we may all share in the joy of his love of life.
Very sorry to hear of Al’s death and also that we are
unable to attend the rememberance. We will remember him as a great asset
to the surveying profedssion
as well as a good citizen to
the community. May our prayers
be with you. Carl Berry
Our condolences to Ruth and family.
With our deepest condolences on your loss. Al will be missed in the survey community!
His service and kind dedication to every one
will be remembered.
Al was one of the finest most sincere gentlemen I have ever known.
It is men like Al that make me feel proud to be a surveyor. We all have suffered a great loss.
Al was a very fine person. My condolences to his family.
Al was a mentor and roll model to probably far more people than he realized. I do not know of anyone who ever knew Al and didn’t become a better person from the experience. He is already missed.
Al will always be remembered nationally as a pioneer in the surveying community.
Serving as President of the Land Surveyors’ Assoc. of Washington and his ten years of service on the Board of Registration are only a few of the many things Al did do better the profession and protect the Public. Al ran a straight line and will always be remembered. I am proud to have known him. My sincere condolences to his family.
My condolences to all of Al’s family and friends.
Many memories of playing when I was small, you were so kind even when I played to rough. You loved me when I could not love myself. A grandaughter could not have asked for more. A great man, a kind man, my grandfather.
The world lost a great man. I lost a great brother-in-law. I will never forget his ever present good humor and generous heart. I can’t remember ever seeing Al without a smile on his face, laughter in his eyes, and God in his heart. Al was my brother and my friend. I will truly miss him.
“But I would not have you be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15. God bless the best Dad a Son could ever pray for!