In Memoriam: Richard Albert
Real Estate In-Depth | March 6, 2017
The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors regrets to inform its membership of the recent passing of veteran Realtor Richard Albert. The longtime Broker/Owner died on March 5th at the age of 89.
Albert is survived by his much beloved wife Brenda, son Jeffrey, daughter Susan, stepchildren Lisa and Michael, grandchildren: Molly, Sasha, Chelan, Brittany, Jordan, Brianna, Gisela, Larena, Landon, and great-grandchildren: Ava, Christian, and Gabriella—as well as a very large, extended family of friends and colleagues.
Born in New York City on Nov. 26th, 1927, Albert was raised in Croton Harmon. After high school, he enrolled in the Agricultural School at Cornell University. After one year, he enlisted in the Army and served as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne stationed in Japan during World War II. After an honorable discharge in 1948, he attended the University of Colorado where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.
Inspired by his mother’s career in real estate, he came home to the Croton area and immersed himself in the business as a broker, owner and developer—which resulted in 70 highly successful years at the helm of his own company.
His many community involvements include membership in Rotary International, The Croton-Peekskill-Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, The Croton Players, The Boy Scouts and Little League baseball.
Albert was equally active with industry organizations including the International Council of Shopping Centers, The Commercial Investment Division of the Westchester County Board of Realtors and more than 50 years with the National Association of Realtors. In 2010, Albert earned the Realtor Emeritus status from NAR. In late 2010, Albert’s firm—Prudential Richard Albert Realtors—left the Prudential franchise and joined Sotheby’s International Realty’s North Country Sotheby’s.
Albert’s benevolent generosity led him to establish, and continuously fund, a scholarship endowment to help local high school students combat the rising costs of a college education. He also donated the land for the Croton Community Nursery School as well as lands to The Teatown Reservation and The Croton Housing Network. Other causes he thoughtfully supported include Meals on Wheels, The Girl Scouts and Homefront.
In 1997, Albert was appointed by then Gov. George Pataki to the New York State Real Estate Board—one of only four brokers in the state to have received this distinction. He also was inducted into the Croton Harmon High School Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2009.
He was an avid golf and tennis player and enjoyed memberships at Briar Hall Country Club and Mount Kisco Country Club. The highlight of his golf experience came when he was paired with Arnold Palmer at a Senior PGA Pro-Am event held at Sleepy Hollow Country Club. He also had a collection of fine cars including an Aston Martin DB7, a 1957 Rolls Royce, a Chevy Corvette Grand Sport and a Neiman Marcus special edition Ford Mustang.
Albert’s unique brand of warmth and his heartfelt welcoming spirit will be missed by anyone who ever crossed paths with him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to The Bridge Fund of New York, Inc. c/o Barbara Hayes, 271 Madison Ave., New York NY 10016 and can be earmarked for The Bridge Fund of Westchester.
Chapel service was scheduled at Riverside Memorial Chapel in Mount Vernon on March 6 at with interment to follow at Sharon Gardens Cemetery 273 Lakeview Ave., Valhalla NY 10595.