Albert P. Hujer

Raised in the Riverside area of Buffalo, he attended McKinley High School until he joined the U.S. Navy in July of 1944. He served as a Hospital Apprentice First Class on the West Coast and in the Pacific Theatre.

He ended up escorting downed and recovered pilots from the Pacific to military hospitals in California. After his discharge in 1946 he went back to finish high school in a special class made up of all veterans. While in this class he was recognized as having a flair for teaching and was advised to attend nearby Buffalo State Teacher’s College on the GI Bill.

After graduation he taught Industrial Arts at Starpoint schools in Niagara-Wheatfield, but quickly transitioned to the Department of Defense Dependent School (DoDD) at Camp Darby in Livorno, Italy. He also taught at John Marshall High School in Rochester, NY and Mannheim American High School in Mannheim, West Germany.

He returned to the USA and Starpoint Central in 1972. He continued teaching until his retirement in 1991. By this time, he had taught wood, metal, photography, ceramics, printing, standard and computer-assisted drafting, as well as business. He was a regular attendee at the Starpoint Teacher’s luncheons and loved staying in touch with everyone. He also dreamed of attending one more DODDS reunion, but such was not to be.

He had a lifelong love of learning, playing with gadgets, and in the last 20 years he took up sketching and oil painting. He was a product of the Depression and it had a profound impact on his remaining life. He was always interested in sweepstakes and the lottery, hoping to strike it rich.

His military awards include the American Theatre and Victory medals. His awards from the Department of the Army include two Certificates of Achievement for his outstanding work as a teacher in 1969 and 1970.

He is survived by his sons, Mark (Cindy) Hujer and Paul Hujer, his grandsons Tristan (Katie) Hujer and Daniel (Tiffany) Hujer; also, his great granddaughters Vera, Nala, and Isabella, and a great grandson Victor.

He requested no funeral or memorial service.