United Church of Rogers Park is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Albert Lunde during the weekend of July 11th, 2020.

Albert Lunde passed away during the weekend of 11th of July 2020. He died of natural causes, specifically heart failure and nothing COVID related.  He is survived by his older sister, Anne Lunde.

As quiet as he could be, no one could miss this towering man with glasses and his long wild hair and beard.  He spoke truthfully from his heart, but always with facts and figures. Our church was blessed with his knowledge of electronics and computers as a part of our sound technician committee. Albert was also a member of UCRP's health team and sat on our worship team. 

Albert’s history with UCRP goes back to December 2002 with the merge of our churches with Wheadon United Methodist Church of Evanston [of which he was a long time member].  And from Wheaton, he was an active member of Affirmation: United Methodist for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns since July 1975.

Some of Albert's church family describe him as a, "square peg trying to fit into a lot of round holes." “Albert beat to a different drum. . .  Albert’s drum reminded the people who were forgetting the people outside the norms. His drum beat toward inclusion, healing, and love when the public was out for blood.” And he was often called a peacemaker. Reading and studying was in his DNA. His bookshelves were overflowing into boxes with Bibles, theological literature from all faiths, including his love of manga and anime.

These Japanese arts are animation like graphic-novels.   Albert would make it clear the difference between “Anime” and “Manga.”  “Manga” means more Japanese comics where as “anime” is referred by its name outside of Japan.

Pastor Lindsey remembers the glimmer in his eye when he knew he was challenging the status quo:
“I remember that look when I wore a collar on one of the first Sundays, I was at UCRP and he told me I didn't need to dress in ‘liturgical drag.’

“He once described himself to me as ‘recovering from certainty,’ and that stuck with me. I do think Albert was certain about some things. He was certain that God loved everyone, that everyone had a place in the church and that God had no time for hate. But I think Albert loved the wonder and mystery of God as well, allowing God to be bigger and more surprising than we give God credit for. I'm grateful to have known Albert and I imagine that God is now looking at Albert with that same glimmer in God's eye. A glimmer of delight and some mischief, welcoming Albert home.”

Lord God of comfort, we lift our prayers for all who loved and cared for Albert as they struggle with his loss. May we find peace in knowing that Albert is now entrusted to your love and care. Amen.

A joint service will be held at UCRP and at his family’s church Edison Park United Methodist Church in Chicago at some point in the future when it is safe for us to gather again. In the meantime, if you would like to leave a comment or a memory about Albert, you can do so at the bottom of this page.

Albert was a huge supporter of the United Methodist Committee on Relief [UMCOR]. This group brings God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by war, conflict or natural disaster around the world and in the United States. After the recovery has begun, wounds have been tended, basic needs met, and the world's attention has faded, UMCOR continues to be present by providing ongoing assistance. UMCOR provides survivors not only temporary relief, but also long-term education, training, and support. While UMCOR cooperates with other aid organizations, the most important partners in the work of recovery are those being served. 

You can donate to this cause in Albert’s name by clicking here.

People’s Thoughts, Comments, and Prayer for Albert Lunde:

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22 December @ 10:16
From:  Judy Jahnke
Message: I first met Albert in the early 80s when I began visiting Wheadon UMC where I eventually became a member. I quickly learned this was a man who understood feminism, which is where we connected. I was awed by his breadth of knowledge in so many subjects. We often worked together on the Worship Team as well as other committees. And it didn’t take him long to dive into the life and work of UCRP. Yes, Albert did beat the drum in a different way, but it made a lovely song to which many of us danced along, and understood and appreciated. I think Sophia Wisdom welcomes him and his great faith. Blessed are we who knew him.
Judy Jahnke

22 December @ 08:15
Name:  request not to post
Subject: Happy Birthday
Message: Hi Albert,
Happy Birthday. We are honoring you tonight at dinner. We are having pizza like you would’ve wanted and we will remember you. I hope you are safe wherever you are. I miss you and we will look for stars in the sky tonight for you.

28 August @ 15:57
From: Jill Graham
Message: Albert first came into my life in 1982, when I was a Northwestern graduate student. I had ordered a computer tape from the government that supposedly contained survey data I could use for my dissertation research; but when it arrived, it was just a reel of tape without any documentation. In search of help, I went to Vogelback Computing Center and met my hero: Albert Lunde! Albert somehow figured out where all the data was on the tape and showed me how to access it. I was incredibly grateful to him back then, and delighted when he later started coming to my church, Wheadon UMC. Many years later, Albert helped me update the Passover Seder liturgy that my late husband had created for Wheadon, adding music and Hebrew prayers. Albert's research was invaluable, and we have used that liturgy ever since at United Church of Rogers Park.

Subject: THE SPARK ON SUNDAY - 23 August @ 23:39
From: Solomon Groothuis
Message: I remember my first Sunday during my season at UCRP. I was used to keeping my guard up during services, especially duet any fellowship time. After church, I had my coffee in hand and Albert and I struck up a conversation on American church history and theology (an interest of mine). I was blown away by his cornucopia of knowledge and the wisdom behind it - the eye of discernment. Beyond that, there was an invitation in his events. He welcomed me along for the discussion (discourse?). I wish I knew him deeper, but I’m thankful that we got to do a sliver of life together and he showed me a sliver of heaven. May he rest in peace and live on in joy.

17 August @ 10:47
From: Philip Burns
Message: Albert and I both attended Taft High School in Chicago. I was one grade ahead of Albert. We both ditched study halls
spent lunch periods working on the two computer terminals Taft owned. These connected to a remote IBM 360 mainframe.
We entered programs on punch cards.
When I was a senior and Albert a junior we participated in the Astro-Science Workshop, a full year astronomy program
held at the Adler Planetarium. We used our nascent programming skills to complete computer assignments and labs.
Albert and I shared several interests in common. We both loved cats. Albert was fond of visiting my home and petting
our large brood of felines. Albert and I were both fans of Japanese cartoons (anime) and comics (manga).
Albert attended Northwestern University and I attended the University of Illinois at Chicago. We both continued to
improve our computing skills and kept in touch.
After I graduated from the University of Illinois I attended Northwestern University for graduate school. I also started
working at the Vogelback Computing Center as a graduate assistant. Later I became a full-time staff member.
As an undergraduate Albert worked with faculty on research projects. After graduation Albert sought full-time employment.
I suggested he apply for a position in the User Services department at Vogelback. I recommended Albert and he was
accepted.
Many of us in IT worked with Albert on a variety of projects. Albert was a great co-worker and lots of fun to work with.
Several of our coworkers have left their appreciations for Albert here.
Albert remained in Northwestern's IT department until the summer of 2019, when he was laid off along with about
a third of the IT staff.
I was fortunate to know Albert for over fifty years. I will miss him. Requiescat in pace.

27 July @ 11:28
From: Chaz Rita
Message: I had the pleasure of working with Albert for about 9 years. He was generous with his time and knowledge. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. My wishes and thoughts to all of his family and friends.

27 July @ 11:15
From: David Gunnell
Message:  Albert was a behind the scene member of United Church where he took pride in his church.  Albert may had a bad foot, but he was one of the pillars at UCRP.
I knew him back in the days of Affirmation: United Methodist Concerns for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender and Queer Concerns [when it was just called Affirmation: United Methodist Concerns for Lesbian and Gay Concerns]; And from thereon at Wheaton UMC in Evanston.  My relationship with him grew more at United Church especially within the Worship Committee.  He was my guarantee of a weekly hug. During the Covid-19 pandemic, over the after worship fellowship time on Zoom, I would tell him a lot how I missed our in-person services and our weekly hug during the Passing of the Peace - sweaty body and all. I missed his witty and dry humor, and his love of peace and reasoning.
I miss you Albert.
Peace be with you.

Subject: Albert was great - 27 July @ 11:09
From: Julian Koh
Message: I first met Albert Lunde when I was an undergraduate at Northwestern back in the early/mid-1990's. He was a great (even legendary) technical resource for us students, and I learned a lot from him not just in raw knowledge but also on how to approach troubleshooting and analysis problems. When I got a job as a student worker at. the help desk, Albert's office was just off of the help desk room, and he would often emerge to tell us if he heard us give any bad or suboptimal advice to a customer. One moment that I'll always remember was when Albert came out to tell me that I had given a user the wrong modem initialization codes. However, I was actually able to show him that the code was the correct one for the situation that the user was in. He looked at me for what seemed to be about a whole minute, then he said, "That is interesting. I will have to research that some more myself" before turning around and going back into his office. None of us had ever remembered him hearing that before. Later near the end of my shift he came back out and thanked me for teaching _him_ something new!
I never left Northwestern after graduating, and I always enjoyed working with Albert on any project because I knew I could always count on him to have or find a technically correct answer to a problem as it was posed to him. He always made time to talk and answer any question I had, and it was obvious that he enjoyed working on challenging problems and finding elegant solutions to them. His memory and knowledge were encyclopedic, and he was unfailingly generous with sharing it.
I have missed Albert ever since he left NU, and I will continue to miss him now that he has passed on.

Subject: Remembrances of Albert's Professional Life - 23 July @ 20:27
From: Jacob Arnold
Message: I knew Albert as a Northwestern University institution. He built the central web server and the white pages (people search) scripts, which were cutting edge at the time. Many of the systems he designed are still in use decades later. I remember fondly his detailed calls (replete with sighs) whenever I had technical questions. He often referred me to his detailed documentation. He was a consummate professional who was always true to himself, and he will be missed by anyone who had the fortune to meet him.

Subject: Thank you Albert - 23 July @ 18:33
From: NOT want your name posted
Message: There’s another memory I have of Albert. It was on a Sunday afternoon and we had just gotten home from doing an activity. We went back out to visit cousins. Albert is over helping Anne and I remember this very well. We had just gotten back in the car and as I turn around, Albert is waving at us from across the street. When we came home later, I was on my bike and Anne was also out there. Albert approaches me and says “Where did you go today?” I said to him, “we went to visit my cousins.” He says “ah”! I think we talked more after that but I don’t remember what we both said. May Albert rest in piece and I dearly miss him.

Subject: Albert always came to me to chat when I attended ucrp service or another event, We talked often about the Japanese art he was very involved with studying and loved. These memories are very dear to me and thank God for him and his family and friends.. - 21 July @ 15:15
From: Anita Alcantara
Message: Thanks to Albert and his membership with United Church of Rogers Park and Wheadon UMC..

20 July @ 15:25
From: B.J. Birkhahn-Rommelfanger
Message: I love this Mardi Gras picture of Albert - it is so Albert! We sojourned for many years at Wheadon United Methodist in Evanston (pre UCRP merger), and he stood at the door every week for worship welcoming all who came. No one forgot Albert! He also shocked many back in the 1980's who came from GETS seminary or other communities to worship. He was the tech wizard, always contributing to worship planning (I think it was in his soul) and to our keeping faithful to a truly LGBTQIA+ community. He never gave up on the United Methodist Church and he was an Affirmation. He was succinct in his comments in the dialogue circle or at a worship team meeting, but he always had an insight that kept us thinking and being challenged. His was overall a quiet commitment. Albert was not one to be at every protest, but his presence was always there. My prayers to his sister, Anne, to the UCRP congregation and all his friends and colleagues over the years. He made his mark, and will be missed. Rev. B.J.

Subject: Missing Albert - 19 July @ 10:08
From: Maria Longo
Message: A couple more memories I have of Albert are good ones. It was a sunny day possibly it might have been the weekend and Anne pulls up in her car with Albert. I remember being really surprised and happy to see him at the same time. I remember he was in the hospital possibly for a procedure he had. I’m not really sure but it was great talking to him. Another memory is when he was over one night and the street lights were on and I happen to be on my bike. He walks quickly out of the house to talk to me. His sister is standing there inside of the front door looking jealous. There are many more memories of him but I can’t share all of them. I miss you already Albert and you were a joy and pleasant person to be around whenever I got to see you. I really wish this was a nightmare about your death and I would see you again but no. Enjoy new memories in heaven and one day we will see each other again.

Subject: I miss you Albert - 19 July @ 09:37
From: Maria Longo
Message: Albert was a kind man who knew me well. I know his sister Anne because she lives across the street from me. Whenever Albert would be around in the neighborhood of Edison Park, I would always ask him how he’s doing. I would know when he was in town because of how tall he was. I sorta remember when it was a sunny day, he gave me some kind of gift. I’m not sure what is was. But, I do remember that. That is my happy memory of Albert. When he’s not, I would ask Anne how he was doing and what he was up to. Now that he’s deceased, I can no longer ask those questions which makes me sad. His death saddens me that I would no longer see him or ask how he’s doing. I hope he is resting in piece and is reunited with his family and telling new family stories. Rest in Piece and I hope you are watching over me and your sister. I will definitely see you in heaven again one day. I miss you already my friend.

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