Albert William Hedgepeth Jr.

Albert was born on January 19, 1953, in Nash County, NC. He grew up in Pinetops, NC, and graduated as valedictorian from South Edgecombe High School in 1971. Albert maintained lifelong contacts with many of his classmates. He earned his undergraduate degree from UNC–Chapel Hill in 1975. He graduated from the Surgeon’s Assistant Program at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill in 1980. As a graduate of Carolina, Albert remained an avid Tarheel fan. He loved watching the Tarheels play basketball and rooted for his team every season.

Albert met his wife Cathy, in 1975 and she nicknamed him “Al,” because she claimed he was too self-serious to be an “Albert”. They married in 1977, and raised two sons, Albert III, and Brian. As a couple Cathy and Al enjoyed dancing to beach music, traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. Cathy and Al also volunteered as the Light House Keepers at Cape Lookout National Seashore, their favorite place on the eastern coast of NC. They were blessed to travel together and toured many parts of the world including England, France, Italy, Germany, and Russia.

As a child Al loved spending time on the water. He cherished summers at Camp Seagull where he learned to sail. He and his sisters enjoyed summer vacations on the Pamlico River in Little Washington, NC where he spent hours sailing, motor boating, and water skiing. Al shared his love of boating with his family. He took great pride in teaching his sons how to be safe boaters on nearby lakes, and in the sound and ocean waters near Cape Lookout National Seashore. His love of the water also included scuba diving, and he and his older son, Albert shared many underwater adventures together. During retirement Al was happiest when watching the sunset on his beloved yacht, the "SEABBATICAL", sipping Margaritas, and visiting with other boaters on "B" Dock at the Waterfront Villas in Carolina Beach, NC.

Al’s many interests included music, theatre, astronomy, meteorology, architecture, and history. He was especially drawn to Native American, Roman, and Egyptian history. Topping his bucket list was traveling to Egypt and sailing the Nile. He was able to take his dream trip to Egypt in 2022 with his son, Brian. Together they rode camels, toured ancient ruins, explored markets, and viewed the Pyramids.

Al hosted many parties at his home for work colleagues and friends. He also had a group of special friends, who referred to themselves as the “Thirsty Knights”. They met almost every Thursday night for drinks and laughs. Al loved these men as the brothers he never had.

Animals also held a special place in Al’s heart. They provided him solace and companionship during his childhood and teen years when his family was fractured by divorce and loss. During various stages of his illness the family’s pets stayed close by Al offering him comfort and devotion. In the final months and days of Al’s life, the family’s dog, Jake, sat or lay by his side whenever possible.

Al loved working in the field of medicine and was licensed to practice in North Carolina as a Physician Assistant. During his career he worked in a variety of settings. Initially he worked in surgery at Dorothea Dix Hospital and later returned to work on that campus in the forensic psychiatry department. Al also worked in cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics, women’s health, and mental health. He retired from the WakeMed Department of Psychiatry in 2020. Al received the Petals Above and Beyond award for his outstanding work as an employee at WakeMed. He valued the passion of the nurses who cared for patients, and he enjoyed constantly learning from the medical staff. Al also volunteered his time and helped to establish a medical clinic at the Raleigh Rescue Mission during his long career.

Al was the son of the late Elizabeth Hedgepeth, a retired nurse, and Albert William Hedgepeth, MD. He is survived by his wife Cathy, his two sons Albert III (Christy), and Brian (Jane Bugaeva), his sisters Craig Norton and Sara Lancaster (Greg), He was very proud to have two beautiful granddaughters, Beatrice (7), and Mary Christine (5). He also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and numerous first cousins.

The family would like to acknowledge the many providers who offered care in the final months of his illness: the Heartland Hospice care team and his home aides who were provided by Josephine Gentry, including his favorite aide, Matt Seagraves. In the last weeks of his life, he was cared for by Mabel and her compassionate staff at a private home hospice facility.

The many, frequent visitors in Al’s last few months reminded him that he was loved. And he would want everyone to, “Know You Are Loved” (KURL’d).

Memorial service arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St, Raleigh, NC.