Obituaries
Carl H. Albright
June 1, 1933 - October 19, 2024
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VISITATION
October 24, 2024 | 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. -
Yurs Funeral Home
405 E. Main Street
St. Charles, Illinois 60174 - Funeral Service
- October 25, 2024 | 10:00 A.M.
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Bethlehem Lutheran Church
1145 N. 5th Avenue
St. Charles, Illinois 60174 -
Burial Location
Resurrection Cemetery, Geneva, Illinois
Carl H. Albright, 91, died on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Rush UMC in Chicago surrounded by his loving wife, Cynthia, and his family.
Carl was born in Allentown, PA on June 1,1933 to Ralph J. and Pearl Irene Albright. His father was a civil engineer at Bethlehem Steel, his mother, a schoolteacher. His sister, Lois, was four years younger. Both parents were keen on education for their children. It is no wonder that Carl excelled in school and was selected Valedictorian of Allentown High School class of 1951.
He began his college studies at Lehigh University in nearby Bethlehem PA in Electrical Engineering but soon decided to switch majors to Physics. In 1961, under the direction of his thesis advisor, Professor Sam Treiman, Carl received his PhD in Theoretical Physics from Princeton University. He came to Chicago for a post- doc at Northwestern University in Evanston. In the fall of 1968, he joined the Physics Faculty at Northern Illinois University where he was tenured until his retirement in 1998. Carl chose to live in the Fox Valley to be near a newly established national laboratory; he had attended the groundbreaking of what we now know as Fermilab, where he continued his theoretical research until recently. His career-long interest was neutrinos – subatomic particles. He visited several of the neutrino experimental sites – deep underground in Japan, Canada, and even South Dakota!
He met the love of his life, Cynthia (Berdy) Albright, at a ski club meeting in Oak Park, IL. Neither were skiers but that chance meeting led to an engagement 3 months later and they were married on January 24, 1970, at St Joan of Arc Church in Lisle IL.
Cynthia, whom he affectionately called Cindy, was then a science teacher at Lisle Junior High. After Carl’s sabbatical year abroad in Geneva, Switzerland, they returned in summer 1974 to build their custom designed home in Pepper Valley, Geneva.
His career so enriched their lives, spending his sabbaticals abroad in Geneva, Switzerland; Annecy, France; Lund, Sweden; Munich and Hamburg, Germany. His research provided many opportunities for international conferences in former Georgia SSR, many in Europe, Australia, Japan, Cape Town, and India.
Carl’s conferences plus Cynthia’s career in travel enabled them to visit over 100 countries. Together with their good friends they traveled to all seven continents! Most recently, Carl drove his brand-new red Tesla to North Dakota, his 50th state.
Along with travel, Carl was always fond of trains. He received his first Lionel O Gauge at age 6 – a small set which he still owns. Thankfully his interest switched to the smaller N Gauge as his collection now numbers in the 100s. His interest spanned from these model trains to huge steam locomotives and shiny silver Diesels. Living out his hobby, Carl enjoyed two steam-powered journeys on Rovos Rail in South Africa, a trip along the Avenue of the Volcanoes in Ecuador and The Canadian Diesel last fall, from Jasper to Toronto, a 3-night journey, to check off all 10 Canadian Provinces.
Another keen interest was Classical Music especially symphonic music, his favorite composers being Mahler and Bruckner. When Carl moved to the Chicago area, he immediately subscribed to Chicago Symphony concerts and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Ever a man of contrasts, he loved Pink Floyd and ABBA, and the occasional chicken dance at Oktoberfests!
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Pearl Albright and sister, Lois Ruth Hancock. He is survived by Cynthia, his wife of over 54 years; niece Robin (Alan) Wordsworth, nephew Keith (Jo-Ann) Hancock, and niece Kristen (Scott) Williams; great nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held for Carl on Thursday, October 24th from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Yurs Funeral Home at 405 E Main St., Saint Charles. A brief visitation will take place the following morning from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 1145 N 5th Ave., Saint Charles, with services to follow immediately after at 10:00 A.M. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Geneva.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following: Northern Illinois Foundation, Dept. of Physics; Chicago Symphony Orchestra Annual Fund; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St Charles, Illinois
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Andreas Kronfeld from Geneva, IL
"Carl was a wonderful colleague in every way, combining passion for neutrino physics with deep knowledge of the subject. He was also one of the finest persons I've been lucky enough to know."
Werner Rodejohann from Heidelberg, IL
"Carl was an incredibly nice and friendly colleague, with deep insight in physics and a feeling for the right topic. I was very fortunate to work with him, he will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him."
Hallsie Reno from Iowa City, IA
"Yannick and I are thinking of you Cindy, and remembering conversations at Fermilab and at conferences around the world."
Bobbie & Terry Ryan from Gallatin, TN
"Meeting the Albrights as neighbors in 1976 developed into a lifelong friendship that not only spanned the years but many states and one country thanks to Cindy’s diligent efforts to keep in touch. Carl & Cindy are part of our family , watching our children grow and get married. We have shared Holidays together as well as birthdays. Carl will be very much missed. The world has lost a man that made this a better place. Our deepest sympathy to Cindy. They are and always will be the most generous , thoughtful, loving, interesting and well travelled people we have ever met. Carl has made great contributions as a scientist and human being. RIP Carl. Blessings, Bobbie & Terry"
Jaimie linn from South Elgin, IL
"The Albright’s have become like family. After being involved in some of their big life celebrations. Anniversary’s and birthdays even one of my big ones. I fell in Love with their commitment and love they have for each other. I always was happy to see their name on the guest list. Some people just touch your heart and Carl will be missed and Cynthia I am sending you love and strength. Can’t wait to hug you."
Diane & Marcel Demarteau from Highland Park / Oak Ridge, IL
"It is with deep sorrow to learn of the passing of Carl, a passionate colleague and a good family friend. The get togethers, pre-opera dinners and evenings at the Lyric will never be the same. Carl's absence will be very painful, and our hearts go out to Cynthia. Our thoughts are with you in these most difficult times."
Manfred & Roswitha Lindner from Heidelberg, Germany, IL
"Carl was a very special and enjoyable friend, one of the finest person we knew. We stayed in contact and occasionally met with Carl & Cindy even though we returned to Europe more than 30 years ago. Carl was also a very insightful colleague with whom it was most enjoyable to work with. Someone so special will be missed, but he will remain in our memories and not be forgotten."
Tim and Donna Rose Galk from Geneva , IL
"We will miss our astute neighbor, Carl, and his incredible sense of humor. He was wonderfully friendly and a great conversationalist to have across the street. We will miss his warm smile. Carl’s contribution to the academic and scientific communities is unmatched."
Barbara Kelly from Lake In the Hills, IL
"My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."
Steve Gottlieb from Bloomington, IN
"I have known Carl since about 1978 and have always found him to be one of the most welcoming people at Fermilab. It was always a joy to interact with him, to hear about what he was doing and to relate what I was working on. He will be missed by so many. My condolences to you, Cindy. I hope that sweet memories will sustain you in the future."
Terry and Dorothy Flanagan from Geneva, IL
"What can you say about Carl. He was a brilliant and gentle soul. Soft-spoken and always engaging. You always learned something when you spoke with Carl. He didn’t instruct, but shared his knowledge with an almost childlike sense of wonder. Even during his last weeks he managed to push aside his pain and focus his attention on his guests. We will always cherish our friendship with Carl and Cynthia and we are grateful for them helping to introduce us to many of the people and places we love about Geneva. The world is better off for having people like Carl and Cynthia and poorer for Carl’s loss. We can take some comfort that Carl is in a place beyond all pain and where he will complete his quest to learn all of the secrets of the universe."
Linda Stutte from Saint Charles, IL
"I was so sorry to hear about Carl's passing. I knew him for a long time from Fermilab. Carl was always one of the people I liked to sit with at lunch - he was a great conversationalist. You could always learn a lot by talking with him, not only about physics, but about life. I will miss him."
Peg Haskins from Lombard, IL
"Cynthia,Wishing you peach and comfort at this difficult time. It helps to remember all the wonderful memories you shared. I'm hear for you. Peg Haskins"