I feel blessed to have known Al. I will miss him.
Lori, 12 April 2008
Uncle was a fabulous person. He loved us very much. He would always take me and my 5 year old sister to lunch and dinner. He would always take care of us. And he would always sneak us milkshakes. He was a very good uncle. He was so nice. We all loved him without end. He was a fabulous uncle to me to my sister to my dad and to my mom. We all loved him.
Kevin Rote (9 years old), 13 April 2008
Al was a loyal friend. He was always willing to help. He was a loving confidant to my children. He had a special way of making all children feel special and important. He will be missed by my family. We saw him as part of our family and our hearts are aching.
Kasi Rote, 13 April 2008
Al or "Bert" as we used to call him was a good friend who will be dearly missed. A quiet man but a fierce competitor on the court, Al was a team player with a heart of gold. After Al moved to Texas I hadn't heard much from him until our 30th HS reunion in 2005. That night he had us laughing with tears in our eyes he recalled story after story about the characters we all knew and the good times we had at the Boy's Club and basketball practice.
Rest in peace big guy, we're gonna miss you Bert.
Bill Cansdale, 13 April 2008
I'm really too stunned and saddened for words. I'd had him on my mind lately and we were missing him. I think about Al when we have good Italian food or I see the sweet red wagon he bought for my son. Or the tin I kept meaning to send him full of chocolate chip cookies, or the Russel Stover outlet where he would buy bags of chocolate and drop the rest off at our house. I hurt for his family. I know he loved them so much. We will miss him tremendously.
Brandi Wright, 13 April 2008
I am very sad to hear this news about Al. He was one of the nicest guys I have ever met. Although he was a few years older than me I will always remember the time he gave me at the Boys Club when I was young. Not only was I able to play in the pickup games with him - but he always took the time to play one on one and help me improve my game when I was in grade school.It is unfortunate to see someone leave us so young. God Bless his family.
Dan Mayer, 14 April 2008
Part 1
I have had the honor of knowing Al from when I was fresh out of college in 1987 and began my career with Texas Instruments. Al was my first supervisor and after our initial meeting, I remember wondering if all people from New York were as obnoxious as him. I quickly came to understand that he was going out of his way to give me a hard time as his way of welcoming me to the team. We became fast friends and over time he became a member of my family.
John Rote, 14 April 2008
Part 2
Apart from his trips home to New York, Al has been a part of every special occasion with us. He loved my kids as much as anyone in this world and he had a way of showing them how he felt that always made them feel special. I am saddened in knowing that our lives without him will never be as rich and full. He was generous to a fault and he had a heart of gold. He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with him and with his family during this difficult time.
John Rote, 14 April 2008
I met Al at Alcatel. He introduced me to rec-league basketball, and I'll always remember our times on the court. He was a great friend to me over the past ten years, and I will miss him a lot.
He was a very kind and generous man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family -- especially to his nieces and nephews, whom he dearly loved.
Chris Stillo, 14 April 2008
I feel blessed to have gotten to know Al over the last three years. I've never known a nicer person. I only wish I had known him longer, that we had spent more time together, ... that we had talked more. I will miss our weekend dinners at Steak and Ale and the stories he'd tell about his God children, his nieces and nephews. I'll remember him every time I sit on our deck--the deck he and Chris built together last summer. My heart goes out to his friends and his family.
Sandy Stillo, 14 April 2008
My brother was a very special person. He loved and related to children as only a big child at heart could. He was always there when I needed him. I will miss him and love him forever.
Kathy Drescher Tootle, 14 April 2008
I met Al at my first job out of college 10 years ago. We only worked together for a year, but we've been friends ever since. Al was the kind of guy you could pick right back up with after not talking for a few months.
I feel for his family, especially his niece and nephew - I know he loved them dearly, and I know it is a big loss for them.
Al will be truly missed by many. Today was a very sad day for me.
Terry O'Neal, 15 April 2008
I am very sorry to hear the news about Bert. I recall that he was a regular at the Boy's Club, and was quite the ballplayer as well as a good person. There were many occassions were I played him one-on-one, and cannot forget those low post move's of his that I never could stop. I will keep his immediate family in my thoughts and prayers. And to his brother Wayne, I am sorry to hear about your loss.
Ron Carlson, 15 April 2008
My deepest condolences to Al's family. I have worked with him for three years and it was always a pleasant experience with him. I found him caring, inclusive and easy going. I am truly saddened by his untimely departure.May his soul rest in peace.
Mehedi Hassan, 15 April 2008
I didn’t get enough time with you and I feel cheated. We spoke several times a week for the last several years. You were my friend and my link to Kasi, John, Kelsi and Kevin.
I remember when you came to England to see me and I folded you up and put you in a really little car. You were scared to death we’d have a wreck and break your legs. We laughed so much.
17 April 2008
You would call me on your road trips and we’d talk for hours as you drove.
Part II
I loved our walks around the lake with the kids and feeding the ducks. You were so worried the ducks would terrorize the kids. I walked right in the middle of the ducks and showed you how to feed them out of your hand. Then you worried about me. You were just that great guy who everyone loved, especially children.
17 April 2008
Part III
I fussed at you for not calling your uncle in Florida. You hung up from me, called him and spoke for an hour, then called me back so excited.
We talked about books and politics. I had you up for the next election. I feel as if I know all your family; mother, Karen, Kathy and Wayne, plus nieces and nephews.
So, what’s an auntie to do without an uncle?
Auntie (Alice Landers), 17 April 2008
There were and still are so many emotions that tug at the heartstrings of my family and myself. While I myself didn't have a super close relationship with Al, he was my brother's best friend, my sister's side kick and pretty much Kevin and Kelsi's favorite person (you were usually chopped liver if Al was around, but I didn't mind that too much, as I knew he brought them great joy). John met Al at TI (pre-Kasi), and they were friends ever since.
Sami Trevino, 17 April 2008
I can't remember too many trips to Dallas that Al wasn't part of whatever we were doing. He was always very concerned about Kevin and Kelsi and always pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable to their parents (you know, the whole ice cream BEFORE dinner; the playing in the water at the fountain). I know he would have been my favorite Uncle, too.
Sami Trevino, 17 April 2008
Kevin could talk Al into just about anything. He didn't have any blood relations in Dallas, but John, Kasi, Kevin and Kelsi certainly took him in and made him a part of their family. I hurt deeply for them and his family in New York. The world has lost a generous and kind soul. It breaks my heart!
Sami Trevino, 17 April 2008
I still don't know what I want to say about my brother. I know that I miss him and will always love him. He was always willing to help others, but wouldn't let anyone help him. He was so stubborn & independent, yet kind and genererous. He loved children and they loved him. I wish he didn't leave us so soon, but I am thankful for the time we did have.
Karen Drescher Jentz, 17 April 2008
My Uncle "Dink" was one in a million. He was a character- I don't think there is anyone else quite like him! He was the most generous Uncle- nothing was ever too good for his nieces/nephews. I will think of him every time my son wears the red converse sneakers that he INSISTED on buying him! I will miss the shared desserts, the beatings he gave to the boys, and the insane stories that always made me laugh. This truly was a tragedy. He was a great man and will be missed by many, many people.
Kim Lamoreaux (Niece), 17 April 2008
I cannot believe I am writing this note.... something I did not want to ever have to do. Al was a friend of mine and the "process" of becoming Al's friend could not be more exactly described than how John Rote did it. I can also reiterate that he cared very much for those that were his friends and family. Al and I were friends... at work, we played ball together, we shared many hobbies and had too many great times together to try to mention.
Derek Wright, 21 April 2008
Just to name a few… PC's, books, sports, food (still not sure if we decided which one was the fattest ass), business, life, conversation about whatever... just the typical stuff that buddies do. All wrapped around a lot of laughs. I will miss Al.
Derek Wright (cont), 21 April 2008
This message is filled with heartfelt condolences for Al' Family. I knew Al from TI.
He added much joy to my life at TI.
Every time I saw him, he had something nice to say to me. What a joy he was to have around!
Paula C at TI, 23 April 2008
My heart was saddened to hear the news of Al's death. I want to remember the good times with Al. He loved me the best he could anyone. He was very smart, talented, patient, and good basketball player. May Al finally have peace as he went to meet his Maker. Phillipians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This is my prayer for the Drescher family at this time of their loss.
Karen, 30 April 2008
Such a wonderful loving friend, you will be so very missed by all those whose lives you touched.
Whitney, 5 May 2008
Brother, today the Lancaster Boys and Girls Club is holding their annual 4th of July 10K run in your memory. We will be there running or waiting at the finish line...and your spirit will be there with us. Miss you!
Love,
Kathy
3 July 2008
Every weekend Chris and I still think about calling you to go to Steak and Ale for dinner. We've gone a few times since you've been gone, and I cry every time. It doesn't help that for some reason they always seat us at "our" booth, but you're not sitting across the table. This week we found out that all Steak and Ale's are closing across the country. Somehow that just seems fitting...
We miss you, Al.
31 July 2008
Just missing Al as Christmas approaches and wanted to revisit this site. Have had many of those moments where I almost suggest we call Al to go eat in Dallas, or think of something he'd find funny...or think of the him sharing his trains w/the kids. Saw those chocolate orange slices he liked so much in Target a couple of days ago and it breaks my heart that his family and friends have to be w/out him this Christmas. My prayers go out to all of you. You are not alone in your pain. We miss him terribly.
Brandi Wright, 15 December 2008
It's been one year. Forever in our hearts. May you rest in peace.
Thanks to all who have shared their thoughts and feelings.
Kathy, 11 April 2009