Robert "Bob" Albano

Remembering Robert "Bob" Albano

If you ever sat down next to Bob Albano, chances were good you'd end up in a conversation. It didn't matter whether you were a lifelong friend or someone he had just met. Bob possessed a rare gift for connecting with people, and he genuinely wanted to know their story.

Bob spent a lifetime pursuing stories, exploring new places, and building lasting relationships.

His greatest story began with his beloved wife, Margo. Family lore has it that Bob met Margo while on a date with someone else. The original date may not have gone particularly well, but something much better came from it. Bob and Margo built a life together filled with adventure, laughter, faith, family, and a shared love of the American Southwest.

Bob devoted his professional life to journalism and publishing. His career included work with The Milwaukee Sentinel, The Tucson Citizen, The Arizona Republic, and The Santa Fe New Mexican. Later, he served as Book Editor for Arizona Highways magazine, a role that perfectly blended his love of literature with his appreciation for the landscapes and culture of the Southwest.

Outside of work, Bob embraced life with enthusiasm. He loved camping, fishing, hiking, reading, photography, photo editing, and cooking. His kitchens were laboratories of instinct and creativity. Family members quickly learned that while almost every meal was delicious, no recipe could ever be duplicated because Bob never measured anything. He cooked entirely by feel. When asked how much of an ingredient he'd used, the answer was usually some variation of, Enough or just a pinch.

His love of the Southwest often led to family adventures. One of the most memorable was a two-week trip through Arizona that included the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly, and the Grand Canyon. During a hike into the Grand Canyon, Margo eventually returned to the rim on her own while Bob and his young son Greg continued their descent to the bottom.

What began as a beautiful day turned into a test of endurance. Bob and Greg were caught in a severe thunderstorm with lightning and heavy rain. Forced to take shelter, they eventually began the long climb back to the rim, much of it after dark. Meanwhile, Margo waited anxiously above, wondering when or if they would appear.

About a third of the way up, Bob and Greg encountered a group of exhausted travelers from France. The hikers were considering spending the night at a water stop because they had no flashlights and were too tired to continue safely. After resting together, sharing food, and talking for a while, Bob and Greg invited them to continue the climb using their flashlights. Several accepted.

One member of the group, a schoolteacher from France, remarked that he would have a wonderful story to share with his students when he returned home. It was exactly the sort of unexpected encounter that seemed to follow Bob wherever he went, and exactly the sort of kindness he offered without a second thought. Long before reaching the rim well after midnight, strangers had become companions and a difficult hike had become a shared adventure.

Bob's love of storytelling extended beyond journalism and travel. He was an avid baseball fan who rarely missed an opportunity to follow his beloved St. Louis Cardinals. During football season, he could be found cheering for the Green Bay Packers. Whether discussing a Cardinals pennant race or debating a Packers game, he brought the same enthusiasm and good humor that characterized every conversation.

Faith was a cornerstone of Bob's life. As an active member of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, he sought to serve others with humility, compassion, and generosity. He believed deeply in helping people and treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Those who knew Bob will remember a man whose curiosity never faded, whose friendships knew no boundaries, and whose life was enriched by every person he met. He left behind countless stories, treasured memories, and a family who will miss him deeply.

May we all remember Bob the next time we strike up a conversation with a stranger, share a meal knowing it can never be duplicated, cheer for our favorite team, or pause to admire the beauty of the Southwest he loved so dearly.