Robert "Taft" Albright Jr.

Born in Richmond, Virginia on January 21, 1943, to Robert Taft Albright and Helen Pickens Albright, Taft’s fondest memories were of the years living with his family on Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba in the 1950’s. Leaving Cuba to attend and graduate from Phillips Academy Andover, he proved an accomplished trombone player which he was honored to play in the Cotton Bowl.

As a veteran submariner of the U.S. Navy on the USS Argonaut and father of two daughters, Taft went on to earn a degree in civil engineering from Duke University. His passion for building things led him to a long and interesting career in engineering and construction for CBI and Rust Constructors throughout the country. Over the years he worked on dams, nuclear reactors and his crowning achievement - the rebuilding of the destroyed levees following Hurricane Katrina. He was blessed and overjoyed to see his work withstand Mother Nature’s fury this past summer before his passing.

Taft’s religious faith was strong and unwavering. He was a dedicated and cherished participating member of the Episcopal Missionary Church in Monteagle, Tennessee, where he will be interred in Spring of this year beside his beloved wife, Katherine M. (Tibbs) to whom he was married on March 19, 1977.

Surviving family members include his two daughters, Lisa Castells (Javier) of Illinois and Heather Albright (Richard) of Pennsylvania; two grandchildren, Michael Castells of California and Sergi Castells of Indiana; a sister, Linn Steele (Richard) of Utah; a brother, Duncan Albright (Ginger) of Washington; a nephew, Chip Albright and his beloved family of Washington; and a niece, Andrea Hahn and her beloved family of Oregon. He also leaves behind many true and cherished friends who loved and supported him through his last months of life and to whom he and his daughter are forever grateful.

Funeral arrangements to celebrate Taft's life and to pay final respects will be held in Birmingham, Alabama in the Spring of 2022, after a respectful postponement of several months to allow for a safer and healthier gathering of family and friends.

Please continue to visit Taft's special memorial page at www.SouthernHeritageFunerals.com for updated arrangements and to provide written tributes. Taft Albright's Facebook page is also open for tributes and remembrances.