Albert William Garbe

Albert “Al” Garbe, 78, of Peoria, AZ, passed away Saturday 8/22/2020 peacefully of cardiac complications. He was born October 11, 1941 to parents Albert and Catherine (nee Gleason) in Chicago, Il. Albert graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago in 1959. Albert joined the United States Army in November 1963 and served until November 1966. He married the love of his life, Karen (nee Gnagni) on July 11, 1964. Al is survived by his wife, Karen, his children Kimberly (Brant) Kelley, William Garbe, Alan Garbe, Margaret (Patrick) Garbe-Moukheiber, his grandchildren, Mark, Mia, Maddie, Katie, Austin, Ashley, Justin, Samantha, Makayla and Makenna, two great grandchildren, his sister Kathy Edmonds and too many nieces, nephews, and cousins to mention here. He was preceded into heaven by his mother and father as well as his brother Brian. Albert proudly worked for Best Locks of Indianapolis, for 35 years, where he retired as a Senior Security Systems Engineer. He was an avid Ham Radio enthusiast and had earned his Amateur Radio Technician License. Al also loved watching or attending any type of auto racing and attended many Indianapolis 500 races as well as NHRA, and NASCAR races and sometimes even having pit, garage, and pit road passes. He loved baseball, football, and hockey with the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks being some of his favorite teams. He was extremely happy to be able to see the Cubs win the World Series after 108 years and break the curse. Albert was a member of the Peoria Diamond Club, where he enjoyed assisting with the Spring Training and other events at the Peoria Sports Complex. He also graduated the Peoria Citizens Police Academy where he also enjoyed learning about and training with the Peoria Police Department. Albert’s biggest enjoyment was volunteering with the Oak Park REACT unit, which assisted the Oak Park police department as well as volunteered their time at many local events around the Chicagoland Area. He was most proud of his volunteer time assisting with the Chicago Marathon at the starting line. Albert’s life can be described in five words: faith, family, volunteering, scouting, and the outdoors. He had a strong Christian faith and proudly instilled that same faith in his family. His family was everything to him and he would do anything for his family. His friends became family, and he would always treat them as family. The next three almost go together: volunteering, scouting, and the outdoors. Al loved to be outdoors and would travel when he was able. He especially loved the beach and loved visiting his daughter, Kim in California, and his son, William in Florida. He volunteered for his children’s hockey, track, gymnastics, ice skating, and Boy Scouts. He was a proud Scout Master and loved teaching outdoor skills to the younger generations. Albert’s perfect time would be relaxing on the beach, at dusk with the campfire burning and the waves crashing, looking up at all the stars. Rest in peace Pop Pop. A Celebration of Life for Albert will be held later when it is safe for everyone to travel and restrictions have been lifted. The place, time, date will be sent out once all the details have been determined. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Peoria Diamond Club 16101 N. 83rd Ave Peoria, AZ. 85382.