Gerhard W. “Gary” Albrecht, 91, Hays, died Thursday, March 7, 2024 at HaysMed.
He was born September 27, 1932 on the family farm south of Natoma, the son of Edward B. and Meta (Paulsen) Albrecht. Gary attended grade school in Paradise and graduated from Paradise Rural High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was a flight engineer, serving from 1951-1976 during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Gary earned an Associate’s Degree in Ag Research from Solono Community College. He was an appliance repairman and worked for the Kansas State Ag Research Center in Hays, retiring in 1982. On January 25, 1980, he was united in marriage to Patricia “Pat” (Welling) Campbell in Hays and they celebrated 44 years of marriage. Gary and Pat became Family Teachers for DSNWK in 1981, and they ran a group home for three years while also training others to become Family Teachers. He was a member of Hays Christian Church, serving as a Deacon, greeter, and a board member, and loved being a part of the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard. Gary was a weekly volunteer at the Community Assistance Center and the Ellis County Historical Society and enjoyed black powder shooting, golfing, and in April of 2019 his daughters escorted him on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Survivors include his wife Pat of Hays, two daughters, Vicki Albrecht of Hays and Tracy Albrecht-Ilic and husband Borna of Inglewood, CA, three stepsons, Blaine Campbell and wife Marcie of Madison, WI, Flint Campbell and wife Carol of Arnold, and Kyle Campbell and wife Bun of Montgomery, TX, a stepdaughter, Robin Henman and husband Perry of Ellis, a brother, Dennis Albrecht of Russell, 12 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Donald and John Albrecht and two sisters in-law, Karen and Donna Albrecht.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Hays Christian Church, with Pastor Cana Moore officiating. Inurnment with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard. Services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of Gary may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com.