Albert Wayne Beissert of Arcata, the very proud father of four good sons, died April 4, 2026, of cancer. He was 85.

Born Jan. 7, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, to Albert Charles Jr. and Marguerite “Peg” Beissert, Wayne followed in their footsteps and became a journalist.

He became city editor of the Bridgewater (N.J.) Courier-News; business writer with the Oakland Tribune; served as rewrite editor for the initial eight years of USA Today’s existence, and national editor of the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer.

He was among the first in the general press to report on asbestosis and mesotheleoma among the families of asbestos workers.

His childhood was spent in West Orange and Passaic Township (now Longhill), N.J. He was a member in 1957/58 of the first senior class at Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren, N.J..

He served in the US Marine Corps from 1958 to 1961.

Inside his sometimes grumpy demeanor, Wayne thoroughly enjoyed life and observing the interesting things that people do - good or bad.

Wayne volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Long Beach, Calif., and First Tee in Palm Desert, Calif. He also served as president of the church council of Zion Lutheran Church in Long Valley, N.J., and of the Califon (N.J.) First Aid Squad.

An avid golfer, he spent much of his retirement in Rancho Mirage working at area golf courses, and was handicap chairman for the Glen Tee golf group.

He lived his last two years in Arcata. He enjoyed walking the Hammond Trail, Crabs baseball games and especially the Samba Parade.

He is survived by his four sons, Christopher of Arcata; Eric of Matthews, North Carolina; Caleb of Asheville, N.C., and Morgan of Linville, N.C.. He also has three granddaughters and two grandsons. Other survivors include his brother, Neal, of Kilauea, Hawaii.