Anson B Albree, Jr.

Anson “Joe” Bidwell Albree died Sunday, September 8, 2024, in Montgomery, AL at age 85.  He was born in Boston, MA, to Anson Bidwell Albree, Sr., and Helen Vaughan Baker, and was raised in Connecticut and Tennessee.

 Joe is survived by his devoted and beloved wife of 44 years Kathleen (Kathy) Hyde Albree; his sisters Lucy K. Levitan (Alexander) and Phyllis S. Albree (Steve Neverick). He was devoted to his nieces and nephews Denise Levitan (Mebea Aklilu), Karen Matros (Todd), Auriana Albree, Michelle Hyde Peel (Joe), Jackie Hyde Word (Josh) and Shea Neverick; grandnieces and nephews Steven Flaxman, Ben Flaxman, Caleb Aklilu, Helen Aklilu, Noah Matros, Emma Matros, Elizabeth Sheffield (Chris), Samantha Root (Anthony),  Ian Word (Yasmeen), Drew Word (Hannah); great-grandnephews Felix Root and Christian Sheffield.

 Joe earned a BA in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University on a full Navy ROTC scholarship. He edited the undergraduate engineering magazine and was a member of the Scabbard and Blade Honor Society. Following his Navy service, he earned a Master of Arts and completed all coursework and language requirements for a PhD in mathematics at the University of Tennessee.

 Joe taught in universities in Tennessee, Kentucky and New Orleans before joining the mathematics and pre-engineering faculty at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) in 1976. He had truly found his academic home.

 While at AUM, he published dozens of mathematics research papers, several book chapters and a book on the history of mathematics and math resources at the US Military Academy, West Point. Professor Albree was one of the longest serving members of the AUM math department. He led the pre-engineering program for many years and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Bio-Diesel Engineering Lab.

 Professor Albree’s contributions to AUM were wide ranging: he often introduced his students to academic research beyond the classroom and coauthored many papers with them. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the AUM Honors Program that sought to challenge students to attain knowledge in diverse areas of study. He was the program’s first director and presenter in 1982.

For years he was an active faculty mentor of Omicron Delta Kappa (WDK), the collegiate national honor society that recognizes superior leadership and exemplary character.

 As a scholar in the history of science and mathematics, Professor Albree envisioned and taught an upper-level course “History of Mathematics.” The course opened a more human world of science to liberal arts majors.

 “Joe had an unwavering love for his students,” Department of Math chair and professor Yi Wang said. “Many of us remember how, even after retiring, he offered free tutoring to calculus students for several semesters—a testament to his generous and caring nature.”

His love of soccer led to his volunteer organizing and then coaching of AUM’s first soccer club, which competed for several years until it became a varsity sport. A true soccer fan in football-crazed Alabama, he became a FIFA certified soccer referee, enjoying the challenge into his mid-60s.

 His curiosity about the world and its cultures was evident in his love of music—from many eras and genres. He was an enthusiastic member of the MCMO [Montgomery Chamber Music Organization] for decades and enjoyed all classical music, and yet he never sat down at his desk without first popping a jazz CD into the player—music to inspire mathematics study.

Joe was also dedicated to serving others, by supporting equality and social justice, welcoming the stranger, being kind and generous. Throught the Goodwill Ambassador Program at Maxwell AFB, Joe and his wife Kathy were immersed in world cultures while introducing scores of international military officers and their families to the American way of life.

He was a man of science and deep faith, and he saw no contradiction between the two. A nearly 50-year member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, he has served as Lay Eucharistic Minister, Home Eucharistic Minister, Lay Reader, Sunday School teacher and usher. Joe’s zest for life, kindness, Christian witness and love have marked his earthly journey.

Memorials may be made to: Church of the Holy Comforter, Many Colors, or a charity of your choice. The Rite of Burial and Celebration of Life for Joe will be held at 11 am, Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Church of the Holy Comforter, 2911 Woodley Road, Montgomery, AL 36111.

As we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time, we would also like to express our upmost gratitude to you for entrusting us with your loved one. Magnolia Cremations & Funeral Services

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