Grandpa, I remember so many little things:

Working with you in your shop on very important projects, each of which required at least two coats of paint to really be done;

Sitting at a card table in front of the television while putting together balsa wood airplanes, you in the recliner watching a documentary, and Grandma on the sofa reading or working on her crossword puzzle;

Sitting in your office chair and looking up with wide-eyed wonder at all the thumbtacks on your world map – oh, the places you went;

The wondrous variety of plants in your backyard...and of course, the fish pond and water wheel...and the sofa swing…and the bird feeders...and your hand-painted signs...and Easter eggs long forgotten;

Taking trips with you and Grandma in the motor home, wearing your spare rimmed glasses with no lenses in them, and eating beef-potatoes-carrots-ketchup-wrapped-in-foil that I proudly made over the campfire;

Visiting you in the supermarket while you demonstrated food and product to customers – and having to wait fifteen minutes to say hello, because you wouldn’t stop talking to everyone who passed by;

Your Bible, covered with handwritten notes, thoughts, questions of great importance;

Birthday cakes with lots of frosting, sometimes live fish in water, usually with trick candles, and inevitably hosting plastic bugs and critters, much to a young boy’s delight;

Your wife Lola muttering, “Albert!” when you were a tad outlandish;

Taking you and your friends on a tour of the paper mill, and the many praises I heard from coworkers on your insatiable thirst for the “how” and “why” of every nut and bolt;

Going bowling with you and my brother Michael, and trying to best your score...and us secretly entering your name on the scorecard as “Big Al” or “Fat Albert” and watching your reaction;

Watching you cut your fingertip on your table saw...and hearing you say – not, “ouch” – but rather, “...don’t tell your Grandmother”...and watching you bandage it up with supplies from your wallet;

Introducing you to my girlfriend and future wife Rebecca, and how you grilled her on her Christian principles and beliefs and how you smiled at me when she met your approval;

Pouring a vast sea of Lego blocks onto your living room floor and building many a creation...while drinking orange juice and eating maple bars;

Trips around town to visit business contacts and friends...a long day for a little guy...and asking to be let out the next time we got near the house;

Hearing you belt out the hymns at church;

Playing checkers and chess at the table with you while Grandma read or prepared us a snack in the kitchen;

My hand-made desk, bookshelf, baseball card display case, all with “Made by Al Gantenbein” and the date scrawled illegibly on the back;

Fishing on the Clackamas River with you and my dad, dodging your errant casts and watching you grin as you held up a stringer of fish you didn’t catch;

Your letters of encouragement while away at college, overseas at war, and home sick with illness...always with at least one applicable comic strip with your hand-written names and commentary;

Reading your entire library of “how-to” books, and more importantly, your entire library of Calvin & Hobbes;

Workouts at the YMCA with the senior fitness class, followed up by a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy at Fat City;

You calling Grandma your girlfriend;

Dozens of buckets of nails, screws, bolts, casters, washers, fasteners; shelves full of nearly-neatly organized tools, all with repainted handles and a bright shiny finish; and being regaled with tales of your father-in-law and how good he was to you;

Being forced to clean up my plate and try a little bit of everything before saying no thank you;

Always being challenged and held accountable by you on tithing, prayer, and being a church member...and you constantly telling me that you were praying for me and my brother Michael;

Learning to use a sewing machine, as you said it was a skill “every good husband should have”;

Talking to you about your early years, your first car, and how you painted whitewalls on your tires before a big date;

Your big heart, your love for Jesus, your love for helping people at home and overseas;

Holding your hand the day before you died, and how concerned you were for your wife Lola, and turning off your bedside lamp the next morning after you’d passed.

Grandpa, I remember so many little things; I love you and miss you and am so grateful for you and the immense influence you have had on my life.  You taught me how to be a better son, a better brother, a better friend, a better husband, and a godly man who walks upright in the eyes of our Lord.

I pray the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

I can mimic the fish pond and water wheel sentiments here. However, the one thing I will ALWAYS remember, is when Grandpa's golf bag somehow ended up in my mom's (Sandy) garage.

I was out in the backyard hitting golf balls over the fence into the field and I had ran out of them, so I went into the garage to look for more. That's when I saw this old golf bag and went digging through it looking for another ball to hit. I found one and quickly tee'd it up. 

As soon as I made contact, I knew something was wrong and sure enough, moments later, the ball had exploded into smoke and was flying into the fence. The yard was stained for a bit after that and after I regained myself, I asked my mom whose bag that was in the garage.. as if I were suprised to find out it was Grandpa's. 

You taught me a lot in my life but I think I can say what I truly took from you was your sense of humor and your uncanny ability to make friends out of complete strangers. You were very special like that. 

I will miss you very much, but it brings a smile to my face knowing you are in the presence of God and reunited with your loving wife, my Grandma, whom I also miss very much. I only wish my kids could have gotten to know her as well as they got to know you. They miss you very much and Natalie will always remember sitting on your lap during church. 

We would all be so lucky to live a life like you lived yours.

Al Gantenbein was my grandfather-in-law but right from the beginning he made me feel as if I'd been a part of the family for years.  I knew Grandpa Al for thirteen years but it was only in the last five years or so that I truly came to appreciate his presence in my life.  Both my grandfathers passed away when I was a baby so I never knew how much I needed one until I met him.  You see, Grandpa Al was much more than a grandpa to me.  He was a man who lived out his everyday life in obedience to Christ.  He was a man of integrity and an awesome encouragement to me.  My last visit with him was before Christmas and we got into a conversation about the difference between mercy and grace.  He grabbed his bible to show me some notes he had made about it.  I'll miss him so much and I'll miss his prayers for my family.  I knew he was praying for us daily.  I love you, Grandpa Al and I'll be seeing you in heaven!  This is one girl who cared about you more than you'll ever know!

I can still remember the last time I say Grandpa a couple of years ago.  What I remember was that he was still the same Grandpa I remembered as a child.  I will never forget his smile; it was so unique to me and gave me a warm feeling all over.  I loved walking around his goldfish pond and letting my imagination run wild, and yes I too tried to catch the goldfish when he was not looking...:) Sandy, Sue and Mom (Judy) my thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones and I will be there in spirit...love you guys!!

I will always remember Grandpa's ability to laugh and smile and make you do the same. I have many memories of Grandma and Grandpa's back yard with his homemade nursery on the side of the house. I also played with the water wheel when he wasn't looking. He probably watched me do it anyway. We love you and are praying for you Sandy, Sue, and Mom (Judy). As I reflect on his life that I knew, I realize the example he gave on being a joy and blessing to others. He seem to always find a way to enjoy situations and through his namesake granted to me, I try to live out that gift as well. I rejoice in the hope that I have through my salvation in Christ that one day I will get to visit him again with the Lord!

Al was my fantastic father in-law, a special friend and an inspiration to me. He treated me as if I were his own son. He allowed me to call him dad, which I was very proud to do. He filled a void left when my father passed away in 1993. I am eternally grateful to him for granting 42 years ago my request to marry Susan, his middle daughter. He not only gave me a wonderful loving wife but, the distinct privilege of becoming a member and sharing in the awesome and great legacy of the immediate and extended Gantenbein family.

I have many fond memories of the times Dad and I shared together. The number of years we parked our RVs next to each other at the annual Men’s Roundup at Camp Tadmor where men from across the state gathered to fellowship and have a great time. The highlight of those times was standing next to my father in-law, who loved to sing, singing a cappella How Great Thou Art along with 2,000 plus men. There are wonderful memories of the times we spent together at conferences at Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center, one of his favorite places to visit.
 
To the end, Dad always had the curiosity of a little boy. He continually wanted to learn the why and how things came about or worked. He was very creative, had many talents, hobbies and learned numerous crafts that occupied his time. I was fortunate to have him as a mentor from whom I learned much. I regret I didn’t make the time to learn more from him.

One of Dad’s many hobbies was baking and decorating cakes. He made cakes for his family’s many birthdays and celebrations. Each cake was uniquely shaped and decorated to fit the occasion. I will always remember the birthday cake decorated like a fish pond with a replica of a fisherman sitting at the edge of the pond. It had a bowl of real water in the center with two live gold fish swimming around it. As the cake sat in the middle of the table during the meal, one of the fish jumped out of the water landing onto the icing at the edge of the bowl. 

I will miss hearing the frontend of Dad’s Buick scrape at the foot of my driveway as he came flying in. Even in his 90’s he liked to drive fast. I will miss hearing and seeing him in my shop that we together shared. I will miss hearing once again all those stories he told so many times over. However, I will never forget them as they are etched forever in my mind. 

Dad’s life will be remembered as one lived to the fullest. One who inspired and impacted many people. He surely will be missed by all.

Sandy, I don't believe I ever met your Dad, but having just lost my Mom, in October, I know what a loss you and your family feels. Some of the most heart rendering things my siblings and I have done is to go through all the memories of our Mom and Dad and sharing pictures and stories.  It is  so amazing just how personal and different our memories are for each of us. I pray that you all find peace and comfort in knowing what a wonderful man you father was and always will be in your hearts and minds.

I first met Al when my older brother Roger started working at the Kelso Store. Roger especially loved Al's sense of humor, and appreciated working for a godly man. I had further connections when I transferred to Sandy High School and Sue became my best friend. Being in their home, with Al & Lola's graciousness, was a highlight for me. Until I read the obituary, I had totally forgotten that Al did the cake for our wedding in 1967! He lived a life that impacted many people.

I remember Grandpa letting me try to catch goldfish in the pond in the backyard. He told me not to tell because we weren't supposed to mess with the goldfish :)  They also had a Noah's Ark we always played with and Calvin and Hobbs to read. Loved going to Grandma and Grandpa's house!

Al was the joy of many people and friends days while at Rosewood. Al always made every employee's and residents Birthday such a memorable one.  There was no way your Birthday got by Al. :) 
Al had a beautiful soul, his kindness and laughter will be missed. 
Al's great voice is being heard in the heavenly choir.

We have been long-time members of Gateway Baptist Church where Al attended for many years.  Moreover, we have been the recipients on several occasions of Al & Lola's kindness and generosity as we are missionaries in the Philippines.  They have given gifts to our special projects, and have prayed faithfully for the ministry.  Al's enthusiasm for life and laughter were contagious.  And he was always serving in the church in 5 or 6 different capacities.  We are so glad that our daughter was able to meet him just a few months ago when he visited Gateway.  Brent & Chris Ralston

What wonderful memories I have of growing up at Pleasant Home Baptist Church with Al there leading the choir, working with the youth choirs and mostly being his lovely, happy self.  He truly showed God's love through his life's example of what a Christian should be.  I am so sorry to read of your loss, but know he is singing in heaven with his Lord and all his friends who have gone before him.  You are all in my prayers, Connie Thompson Jackson

Susan and all of the family.....it truly feels 'not that long ago' we lived in the big white house next door in Kelso.  Your Dad had a huge impact on many of us as kids, often at times when we were considering the kind of people we wanted to be.  He was my first real employer.  He helped me file my first tax return. He told me to go to college or he would beat me up.  He always had a smile.  He was a terrific businessman. He made sure I got to Camp Arrah Wanna one year.  Reflecting back, I remember how good he was to me and I hope I have 'passed some of the same forward' to others. He loved his family and it showed. He had some wonderful kids I have always admired as a true 'cut above'.  Most importantly he was a man of God. I know your feelings of loss are covered by the treasure of Jesus love. Thinking about you with a big hug!  Rob Fussell.  (Susan sorry I used to untie your shoes on the bus and I think your Dad knew his teenage employees did eat the grapes when we went in and out of the cooler.)

Sandy and "all of you"
I will treasure my memories of your Dad--and Mom always...they made me part of their family when I lived in Oregon and it was such a comfort.  I will always remember my special BD cakes your Dad made...and the BD sign he hung for me on the back of the house.  And in recent years Sandy and my lunches with him at the facility...Mr. social butterfly...what an inspiration to see how he lived his life.
I love you.
Bonnie Gower

Al……..what a sweetheart.   Al was one cool guy.  He’d laugh at being referred to as a cool guy, but he was.  He was so interesting to talk with, so funny, so smart.  He was always interested in what was going on around him.  We’d go for rides and he’d be asking questions, being curious about how things worked.   I always looked forward to seeing Al.   I’ll miss him…………  Love,  Kathy

OBITUARIO

H. Albert Al Gantenbein

21 enero, 1916 – 3 marzo, 2010

Ross Hollywood Chapel

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