Albert Nathan
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CELEBRATE!!
Albert Nathan died easily and peacefully on Wednesday March 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. He was surrounded by his wife Patt and members of his loving family. Memorial Services will be held at the Heartland Funeral Home (6113 Blue Ridge Blvd) in Raytown, Missouri on Tuesday March 10. Visiting will be from 6-7pm with Memorial Services to follow.
Big Al, as he was known to his friends, was born August 13, 1936 in San Francisco, California to Robert and Lucy Nathan. He joined the United States Air Force and served in Germany during the Korean War where his Polaroid camera was with him constantly; he was cited in a military magazine as being the good will ambassador with a camera. After the service he began his lifelong work in the telephone industry moving from California to Nevada, Illinois, Southern California, Texas and finally Kansas City, Missouri. Although his work included many phases his favorite was instructing in basic telephony the course that he developed. He enjoyed life, his work, his friends, and most of all his family. His interests were many and varied from reading Louis L’Amour western novels to quantum theory. He loved, children, trees, small animals, kites, funny hats, jokes, bright flowers and especially sunbeams. Until his health declined he celebrated every occasion by taking photographs. As it declined he celebrated every occasion with gratitude for the extra time. He anticipated each poker game with glee and had a ready joke for every occasion. He planted a tree at each home and believed one lives on in the children they love and raise.
He is survived by his loving family – Patricia Anne wife of 47 years, children Paul of San Francisco, Regina and grand daughter Bryna Taylor Anne of Bakersfield, David Nathan of Kansas City, MO, Lt. Col Lawrence Nathan of North Carolina, his wife Karen and grandchildren Jordan Lee, Sarah, and William, Kevin Nathan of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, his wife Dawn and grandchildren Christopher, Timothy, Nicholas, William David, Kathryn, and Stefan; he is survived also by his beloved brother Robert Nathan of Pasadena, niece Sheila Mathewson of Newport Beach and nephew Andrew Nathan of Huntington Beach, cousin and dear friend William (Turk) Tergis also cousins Paul of San Francisco and Jerry of Bolinas, California; he is survived by his sister-in-law Arlene Naegelin of Bakersfield, and sister-in-law Of The Heart Candace Wilson of Overland Park, Kansas, daughter in law Of The Heart Nancy Nathan, of Independence, Children Of The Heart Don Cosgrove and grandchildren Of The Heart Tom, Emily and Lily, Michael Burr and wife Angie, grandchildren Of The Heart Madeline Rose, Mary Cecilia and Lucy Lynn; Randall Dyer and wife Gloria with grandchildren Of The Heart Emily and Julianne of Kansas City, MO.
Al treasured his friends of the past and present, dear neighbors, book club friends, and of course Dr. Harriet Langley and the staff at Leawood Dialysis who added years to his life for us all to share and enjoy. He was a strong man, a brave man, with a need to nurture and protect. His final word was to us around him "CELEBRATE". We celebrate his great heart, courageous life, his never-ending love, and especially his final peace.
His wishes were for contributions to be made in lieu of flowers to St. Judes Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Visits: 2
He was my hero. He was everything a father should be.
May we always remember to celebrate Al! May we also remember his sweet smile and teddy bear hugs. We loved him so much and always will. He will never be far from our hearts. In every sunbeam we will feel that little extra spark from grandpa Al…
We love you Al. Zoey still calls you “Big Owl”. I appreciate (kind of) your ceaseless honest and to the point remarks! Celebrate!
In loving memory of a wonderful man whom I will miss very deeply. Enjoy your celebration of life with the angels Pops as we celebrate life on earth. I love you. Your “Angel”
Gina, you and Bryna and the rest of your family are in my thoughts. I loved reading about what a wonderful dad you had. He lived a full life of fun and love. xoxo
Gina, you and Bryna and the rest of your family are in my thoughts. I loved reading about what a wonderful dad you had. He lived a full life of fun and love. xoxo
Gina, Bryna and the entire Nathan clan (by blood and otherwise) – my deepest condolences to you all in the loss of this obviously wonderful man in your life. I am sure he is so proud of the wonderful and loving family he raised. Luv U Gina and Bryna! Michele
Anything that I say will be inadequate when paying trubute to my wonderful friend Albert Nathan but I shall try.
My earlist memories of Al go back more than fifty-five years when Al was a handsome young airman and I was a fellow recruit.
I remember Al and his Polaroid cmaera from those days. He made countless friends giving folks, including many Germans, one of those instant photographs. Al was a friend to all and there wasn’t a mean bone in his body.
Al was also somewhat of an intellectual. Al was broadminded and liked new ideas. He appreciated another’s point of view.
In later years I knew Al as a good husband and a caring father. Al loved Patt and each and everyone of his children and grandchildren. He said so many times.
Al confided to me that he was also concerned about being too much of a burden to Patt.
Al was a big bear of a man but a real softee at heart. He told me how it melted his heart to hear Bryna call and tell him, “I love you Grandpa”.
Al was ever the optimist. He always told me if he could just hang on a little longer, a cure for his condition would be forthcoming.
Al certainly wanted to live and he fought courageously to live. There was much that I admired in his long struggle for life.
Sometimes Al expressed wonderment about life and the great hereafter. Now that he has passed away I am reminded of the words of scripture in I Corinthians 13: 12,13. “For now we see in a mirror darkly: but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as I am fully known. But now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Love is the legacy of Al. Condolances are in order of course but all of us that Al touched have much to be thankful for. Let us truly celebrate!
Al was one of the sweetest men I have ever met in my life. He always has a joke, smile and hug! I felt enlightened and safe in his prescence. I am a better person from knowing Mr. Big Al Nathan! I loved him dearly as did my girls and husband. He will be missed and we are at peace knowing he is in a better place.
My condolences and prayers to Gina, my precious friend, and to all of the family of Al. By the strength which is present in Gina as shown in how she handles her life and Bryna’s challenges, speaks to the wonderful father Al was. Always, Gina was held up by her father’s words. Al you have left a profound legacy to our world.
My memories of Al are that he was always smiling, always joyous, and always ready for a bear hug. All that love is seen in Patt and his children and thier grandchildren, as they spread the Nathan joy and share enlightened love with thier friends. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
As a friend of Patt and Dawn, I can say how much Al was loved by his family. Al was a very special and wonderful Husband, Father and Grandfather.He will be sorely missed but, will always live on in the cherished memories of his beloved family.
What a wonderful example of how a man should live his life, kind and loving towards all. I am honored to be your friend. I miss you.
Don
How humble is a man whom always has a kind word and a warm welcoming smile to share with all he ever met.
Al, I miss you and will always remember all the wonderful ways you share you life, your love and your smiles.
My heart is with Al, Pat and all of the family.
I met Al in US Air Force. A most memorable event that I shared with Al was a vacation trip from Germany to Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Al also attended my wedding in Seattle 1959. The last time I met Al was on our cruise trip from Vancouver, Canada to Alaska. I know how hard it is to depart from your family. I lost 3 members of my family that were younger than me. My brother, my son and my wife. In the long-run we will all be dead.
The Nathan Family is always in my heart and prayers. Al was and is a “constant” in my life. I learned so many “life” lessons from you and Patt. Thank you for the love, concern and generosity in sharing yourselves with me. My life has been enriched beyond measure for having the honor of you all in my life. Happy Birthday Al on 8132010. Love to you always. Hold a place for me Al, I’ll see you again, of that I am certain.
Happy Birthday Al! We love and miss you soo much. The other day Kadi broke down in the car crying because she misses you. I know you are with us and we WILL see you again. Hope you have a wonderful birthday.