David Eugene Albee
November 9, 1948 - June 24, 2025

David Eugene Albee went to be with the Lord at the age of 76 on June 24th, 2025. He passed away at his longtime home in Ruth, with his family at his side. He was preceded in death by his wife Ginger, father Jack, mother Emma, brother Joe, and sister Mary. He is survived by his brother Jack Albee (Cindy), sister-in-law Fran Albee, sister-in-law Sherry Brown, brother-in-law Craig Brown, son David (Lyndee) Albee, son Dan (Terra) Albee, daughter Kristin (Phil) Berti, 11 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Dave was born in Scotia on November 9, 1948, to Jack and Emma Albee. He grew up on a sheep and cattle ranch in southern Humboldt County. His love for ranching and the outdoors was ingrained in him during those early years on the ranch. Hunting deer, trout fishing, running hounds, working stock dogs, and handling livestock were powerful influences on him. Simply put, cowboy life was in his blood.

Dave attended Miranda Elementary School and South Fork High School, graduating in 1966. While at South Fork High School, Dave met the love of his life, Ginger Brown, whom he would later marry. Dave also became an outstanding football and basketball player during his high school years. After high school, he went on to Humboldt State to study history and play football. While at Humboldt, Dave was fortunate to play on one of Humboldt’s best football teams. During his junior year, the Lumberjacks went 10-1 and won the Camellia Bowl. He was always very proud of that. Dave completed a bachelor’s degree in history and earned his teaching credential from Humboldt.

In December 1969, Dave married Ginger Brown, his high school sweetheart. Dave and Ginger moved to Ruth in 1972, where they started a family, and Dave took a job at Van Duzen Elementary School as the 8th grade teacher. Dave thoroughly enjoyed this job. He had many challenging students, but nothing that a sturdy yardstick couldn’t cure. Dave started basketball and football teams for the kids during those years, and they had a lot of fun and quite a bit of success.

In 1975, Dave’s father-in-law, Larry Brown, bought the Travis Ranch located just to the south of Ruth. Dave left the school business and went to work on the ranch. Dave poured his heart and soul into working on the ranch. He loved it. He and Ginger raised their family during those years. Dave gave the kids all the opportunities he had growing up, and Ginger took care of everybody.

In 1990, Dave returned to the school business. He went back to work at Southern Trinity as a teacher, but eventually he completed his master’s degree in education and became the superintendent. During his school days, he made business decisions, taught classes, disciplined kids, and did a lot of basketball coaching. He enjoyed most of his school duties; however, he really loved the basketball coaching. He was good at it. His teams took on the character of their coach, disciplined and tough as nails. Over the many years he coached on the Northcoast, Dave was regarded as one of the best coaches in the area.

In 2006, Dave retired from the school business for good. He went back to work full time on the Travis Ranch with his boys, David and Dan. Things were good for a couple of years. He was enjoying the cowboy life, and he and Ginger were being blessed with some grandchildren.

Unfortunately, Ginger had a massive stroke in 2009, and she became completely incapacitated. This would prove to be the biggest challenge of Dave’s life. For nearly ten years, Dave cared for Ginger’s every need until she finally passed in 2019. It was the most extraordinary act of love and commitment one could give.

In the fall of 2020, the August Complex Fire burned the entire Travis Ranch. The fire devastated the land and killed a large portion of the cow herd. Dave had a strong connection to the land, having worked on it for nearly 50 years. He wrote a story about his experience during the fire called “A Fire Story.” His story is very interesting, and I encourage all to read it if you get a chance.

Sometime in 2022, while logging and working to clean up the mess in the aftermath of the August Fire, Dave began to have health issues. Fatigue and weight loss were the primary symptoms. He trudged on. Getting up at 3 a.m. and working long days. Finally, he went to the doctor. Throughout 2023, he had several visits and blood tests. A couple of vitamin deficiencies were found, but something else was wrong. In February 2024, he was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. He battled for a year and a half. Finally, he said enough. Dave Albee didn’t fear death. He led a good life, and he was a good man. He was hard-working, honest, giving, and a servant of God. Dave gave his life to the Lord in 1990. He is in heaven now with his love, Ginger.There will be a memorial service for Dave at Ruth Community Church on July 19 at 10 a.m.

Anyone is welcome to attend and celebrate this wonderful man. A lunch and time of fellowship will follow the service.