Dr. Alfred "Al" D. Urbanckas

Alfred “Al” D. Urbanckas, 88, of Springfield, IL, died at 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Al was born on May 27, 1936, in Springfield, IL, the son of Alfred and Anne (Wisnosky) Urbanckas. He married his first wife, Patricia L. Block, in 1959, and she preceded him in death in 1989. He also was preceded in death by his parents; son, Thomas Urbanckas; sister, Marilyn Stark; and step grandson, Steven Drendel. He married Diane L. Gurgens on January 2, 1992.

Al attended St. Aloysius Grade School and later graduated from Cathedral Boys High School, class of 1954. That same year, he won the Illinois State high jump title, and he became the first Cathedral High School athlete to lead the Boys City Basketball Tournament in scoring. While attending the University of Illinois-Champaign, he set the Big Ten Conference high jump record (6’8 3/4”), a mark that stood for more than a decade. In 1957, he won not only the Big Ten indoor and outdoor high jump championships, but he also tied for first place in the NCAA high jump competition. That year, he was awarded All American status and named Midwest Track Athlete of the Year by Coach and Athlete magazine. He is a charter member of the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame.

Al earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Illinois-Chicago and practiced dentistry for 39 years. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and obtained the rank of Captain. He was a member of several organizations and clubs, including the Rotary Club, Bass Club, GV Black Dental Society, Prairie State Orchid Society, Springfield Elks Lodge #158, Lithuanian American Club of Springfield, and he was a member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Rochester, IL. He loved sports, fishing, hunting, growing orchids, and crafting model boats and planes. He cherished his family, friends, and fishing buddies.

Al is survived by his wife, Diane; daughter, Deborah (Robert) Jemison of Springfield, IL; stepchildren, Susan (Albert) Drendel of Elkton, MD, and Richard (Sue Westaway) Taylor of Milford, NH; grandchildren, Joshua (Mandi), Jason and Thomas (Stephanie) Urbanckas, all of Pawnee, IL, Allison (Brian) Newsom of Keizer, OR, and William (Hannah) Herr of Springfield, IL; step grandchild Melissa Drendel of Elkton, MD; great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Izabella, Joshy, Aubree, Kolby, Demarie, Warren, and Jaydace; step great-grandchild, Shane Steven of Elkton, MD; and great-great-granddaughter, Ava.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at The Catholic Church of St. Jude, 633 S. Walnut St., Rochester, IL 62563. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Zach Samples, celebrant.

A private family burial will be held at a later date at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lincoln Memorial Gardens.