Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

In 1994, I was appointed to the University of Maine Development Council. Al and I and a few others lead the development council in a visioning process that embraced the changes in technology that we (and a few faculty members) saw coming. We were worried about how to fund and attract the very best to Maine - the best teachers and researchers who could help start businesses here. The idea was to provide classes to other campuses via internet technology and on line classes and spread the cost of excellence across the system and beyond. Al got really passionate (as he so often did) but what came out of that project was a special friendship between us. I went with him to haul traps, saw poverty nub and heard the stories about the farm, his grandfather, prepared the bait and bands, laughed with him, and was sad with him, met him for lunch when I was in the neighborhood, hung out at both houses, heard about the family, the university, the class of 44 (he made me an honorary member) but more than that, Al supported me as I left corporate life and started life as a consultant. That was 20 years ago. John and I count ourselves as lucky to have had Al's love and caring in our lives. He is a model of energy and engagement that we both would love to emulate. He touched so many and loved them all so much! I know that he was proud of each member of the family, loved you all very much and was so glad that so many of you are close to what he always considered home. With love and gratitude Al was in our lives, Elizabeth and John Reuthe