Richard Gerald "Jerry" Albertus

Richard Gerald "Jerry" Albertus

Richard Gerald “Jerry” Albertus was born in Sioux falls, South Dakota August 29, 1940 to Richard Vernon “Rich” Albertus and Rosealee Marie Donahoe Albertus. He was two months premature and weighed in at 3½ pounds. He spent his early years moving from South Dakota to Montana to Wyoming and back again wherever his Dad’s work took them. He graduated from High School in Thermopolis, Wyoming and attended Casper College where he met Beryl “Peach” Walker. After graduating Casper Jr. College he returned to Rapid City, South Dakota where he attended the South Dakota School of Mines, graduating in 1964 with a degree in physics. He was offered a job as a geophysicist in Casper, Wyoming with Pan American Petroleum where he renewed his friendship with Peach. They were married in February of 1965. They were blessed with two wonderful children, Michelle Marie Albertus and Richard Todd “Ric” Albertus. The oil and gas industry took them from Casper, Wyoming to Denver, Colorado to Calgary, Alberta Canada to Midland, Texas, back to Denver and then to Covington, Louisiana.  Jerry kept busy working for oil companies and consulting. Twenty-one years ago, Jerry was instrumental in the creation of Ultra Petroleum and he served as President of Ultra for several years before resuming his consulting career. Jerry and Peach returned to Colorado with Ultra and made their home in Franktown, Colorado on five acres of pine forest. Jerry loved his home there and he loved feeding the birds and watching the deer raid the “Albertus salad bar.” Jerry loved cars, racing, motorcycles and golfing. He collected a variety of cars throughout his life and loved telling stories of his many treasures. Five years ago, Jerry and his son Ric attended the Skip Barber Racing School in California. This inspired Jerry to purchase a new Mustang Boss Laguna Seca and he and Ric then signed up to compete in The One Lap of America Race as the racing team “Old Crows” in honor of Jerry’s “Pappy” Rich Albertus. Competing in that race with his son was one of the highlights of his life. In 2006 Jerry received the Outstanding Explorer of the Year Award from The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, which was a highlight of his career. Jerry also owned a couple of Dodge Vipers and he and Peach enjoyed many trips with The Viper Club. Jerry also owned a Harley Fat Boy motorcycle and he and Peach attended the Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota with his brother Mike and his wife Kerry every year for thirteen years. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother Marie Albertus, his father Rich Albertus and two infant siblings. Surviving him are his wife Beryl “Peach” Albertus, his brother Mike Murray and Mike’s wife Kerry Murray, his daughter Michelle Albertus, his son Ric Albertus and Ric’s wife Caitlin Fitzpatrick, and his grandchildren Molly Penzenik, Molly’s husband Doug Penzenik, Hannah Strobel, Derek Strobel and Sinead Albertus.

Private family graveside services were held at the Littleton Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will be held June 3rd from 2:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. at Concordia on the Lake Events Center.  For those interested in attending Jerry's Celebration of Life, the family asks that you please RSVP to 303-993-5070 or email balbertus6@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jerry's name to either:

The Denver Hospice

 http://thedenverhospice.org/get-involved/giving/

Or

The National Kidney Foundation

http://www.kidney.org

Family and friends are encouraged to share stories and photographs of Jerry here on his website (click appropriate tab on the left side of this page).