More detail on this person: MAJOR (RET) CRAIG SMITH ALBEE (Maintenance Officer 281st AHC
04/69 - 04/70)
Major (Ret) Craig S. Albee, 60, lost his long battle with Parkinson's disease on Tuesday, 09/05/06,
surrounded by family. Major Albee, a retired helicopter pilot with the United States Army has
touched many lives all over this county try that he loved so dearly. Craig was a decorated veteran.
He served in active duty for 9 years and continued full-time in the Army National Guard for another
21 years. He was a member of the 281st AHC in Republic of Vietnam and later assigned to the 48th
Aviation Company, Katterbach Army Airfield in Ansbach, Germany, 1970-1973 where he was
recognized by the Department of The Army as an innovator for current Army Helicopter Maintenance
Doctrine. Major Albee later became the facility commander of the Reno-Stead Army Aviation Support
Facility, Nevada Army National Guard for several years before transferring to Alaska to finish his
service to our country. He was honorably discharged from the Alaska Army National Guard in 1997 as
Maintenance Test Pilot Evaluator and UH60 Standardization Instructor Pilot. Upon leaving the
military he flew Lear jets for Kalitta Air and Raytheon Travel Air, and then finished his working
career selling sporting goods at Cabela's. On August 29, 2006, Major Albee took his last flight
aboard a CH-47D, Chinook helicopter courtesy of the Reno/Stead Army Aviation Support Facility. The
family of Major Albee would like to thank and applaud the flight crew for the respect and dignity
that they extended Craig on this day that brought him such joy. Craig's interests were hunting,
fishing or flying, along with any excuse to gather with friends and family. He has touched the lives
of many and will be truly missed. Craig was preceded in death by his father, George and his mother
Elizabeth. Craig is survived by his son, Geoffrey of Sparks and his brother, Richard of Oxford MS. A
graveside service will be on September 11, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in
Fernley Nevada, followed by a private family gathering. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to
The American Parkinson's Foundation, c/o Susan Gulas, 1000 Locust St, Reno, NV 89502.
Arrangements are entrusted to Ross, Burke & Knobel Mortuary in Reno. We invite you to send a
condolence message online at www.rossburkeknobel.com. CRAIG S. ALBEE In Loving Memory We
were related by marriage, but became family by heart. I referred to you as 'my dad' not because it
was an easier story to explain, but because you were the dad I never had. You gave me away at my
wedding, you taught me to balance a check book, you touched my children's hearts and you instilled a
meaning of family, even when family was not the official tie. Anyone can be a father, but it takes
someone special to be a dad. Thank you for sharing your life with me.
Your daughter, Susan Zinser.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
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