Albert Elwood Beach of Eureka passed away on January 2 at home with his wife by his side. Albert was 92. Albert had been enjoying life in retirement for 29 years, including reading, salmon fishing, poker, cribbage and good whisky and scotch. He was an Elk and a Native Son of the Golden West. Throughout his life he enjoyed telling stories, cooking, hunting, gardening, junking and antiquing. Those who knew him enjoyed eating and listening. Albert’s family and friends remember him as being strong and kind.

He was raised in Fort Bragg and later Fortuna. As a boy he didn’t always have shoes to wear to school and bigger children would step on his toes. In 4th grade he survived tetanus, which he called lockjaw. He overcame adversity and as an industrious child he picked apples for Clendenen’s and set bowling pins. As a school boy he repaired and drove vehicles. He parted ways from his high school following a small explosion in shop class.

As a young man he enlisted in the Air Force and chose to serve in Korea. In the Air Force as an A & E Mechanic he maintained J-47 Jet Engines, F-86 Sabres, and B-47 Bombers and suffered considerable hearing loss associated with those activities. While in Korea a Mig-15 was surrendered to him. Having hunted since childhood he was rated a sharpshooter despite having been accidentally blinded in one eye as a child. He was trustworthy and held a SECRET clearance and served in England supporting Strategic Air Command activities. After four years he was honorably discharged from the Air Force having obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Upon his discharge he built his parents a house, marking their first homeownership. Later he built himself a cabin in Dinsmore with the help of his nephew George. Albert had a number of jobs around Humboldt including upholsterer, bodywork, owning a body shop, and at times prospector. He was clever and invented his own mining equipment to prospect on the river bottom. In the 1960s he refurbished a ’26 Star Touring Car and toured around Humboldt in it, becoming the president of the Eureka chapter of the horseless carriage club. After the body shop, he had a full career as an insurance adjuster for 30 years after which he retired.

He leaves behind his wife Glenna, sons David and Samuel (April), grandchildren Charles, Benjamin, and Margo, great-grandchildren Gianna and Cassai, and sisters Ramona and Mary Louise. He will be greatly missed. Albert’s passing is preceded by the passing of his father Sumner, his mother Elsie, and his siblings Jim, Dorris, and George. A private memorial will be held for Albert including family and close friends. Albert will be interred with his mother and father at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Albert Beach’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.