April 17, 2018 -- I only now came across Al Tesch's obituary -- and  take the liberty of adding to it at such a late date.  In 1977, I did an oral history on  Al's time in service -- then kept right on with  his post-war activities as he grew older in upstate New York.  The interview was published in a military magazine, and much later I submitted the narrative to an internet website: 'IN  THEIR  OWN  WORDS."  To read it, Google up:  "GOD, MY DOG AND I -- AL TESCH - USMC."  Al and Tippy will be speaking directly to you, as if they were sitting by your side.  Al bared his soul to my -- holding nothing back --as you'll soon discover.  His story would make a  heart-warming movie, but unfortunately I don't know any Hollywood film producers.  I still think of the two of them -- especially if I happen to come across  an Alaskan malamute dog...... 

Tony Welch
Oregon City, OR.

uncle al never talked about his experiences overseas in guam or iwo jima to me until on a visit to him just before deploying with 1st marine to danang, viet nam. he sat down with me,alone, and talked about in detail many experiences he encountered and what he did to get thru them. to this day i remember them and i cherish why he told me these things. it was his way of trying to help me get thru that year of my life and the years to come.  i'll always remember that talk we had 40 years ago.

August 28, 2010

We have had many great memories with Al and Ruth over the years.  Al has been my hero and friend for many years. I always tried to make sure I  thanked him for his service to our country, keeping us safe and free.  Al was very special to us, we are so proud to have been his friends.  We had many wonderful fishing and hunting trips together.  But the one I
 remember the most was in 1997, when Al, Ruth and Cecil Howard came to our ranch in Northern Colorado to hunt elk.  The snow began in the evening and by daylight we had four feet on the level.  There were chores to be done, of course, namely 80 head of calves weaning in corrals five miles away to feed. We could not get the track cats started it was so cold, the snowmobiles did start but sank in the soft snow and couldn't continue.  So we took the one-ton dodge and succeeded in blowing the engine the snow was so deep.  We walked back to the house, pulling ourselves along by the fence.  Last resort-saddle horse!  My wife rode the ridges across, only to be charged by a royal bull elk in the alfalfa bowl where 100 head were gathered.  When she called on the CB radio Al was jumping up and down with excitement wanting to get to the elk!  We didn't think it wise to try to walk five miles. Three days later the snow was gone and so were the elk!!  The fellowship we shared during the "snow of '97" was outstanding.  Al we love you and will miss you dearly.

Robert and Renee Wilkerson, Powell, WY

Many great outdoor activity memories as teens with Judy at the always open Tesch house in Georgetown,N.Y. Al player coached our fastpitch and player coached a highway job for me until I chose a career. So proud to have known You Al Tesch......Mike King G-town,NY

Al, your friendship was one that I will forever cherish, one that spanned 45 years from New York to Colorado to Arizona; one that took us through outdoor adventures of hunting and fishing, playing fastpitch softball, church activities, construction and repairs, our surgeries to patent development.  Through it all, your integrity remained consistent and exemplary.  It was my honor to be your friend!

Judy, Wayne and Gary,
We have such good memories or both your Mom and Dad.We were never with them without laughter and good conversations. We have good memories of being at their home in New York and how they loved our girls and treated us like family.
They never looked at how well you were dressed, how much money you had, they had a way of looking into your heart.  They lived their witness for Jesus and showed how good and how much fun life as a Christian could be..If there is TV and ballgames in heaven..I know what they are doing  Watching a game and enjoying each others company.      Ron and Janet Cary Berryville AR - Ronda Howell Bentonville AR-  Matt Cary Fayetteville AR

Al & Ruth were my Sunday School teachers growing up in Greeley and I vividly remember how serious they took this responsibility.  Al truly showed me what it means to be a strong Christian man who is not afraid to stand for what is important in life.  He didn't just talk about it - he lived it.  I can't wait to see you again in heaven so you can introduce me to your beloved dog Tippy!

Al you were not just another resident or an old marine.   You were something special and different to me.   I was named after a Marine, Joseph Keene,  that paid the price on Iwo, so I was given the honor of taking care of one of Joe's Buddies not just another resident.   It was a profound pleasure to start your day out with a load of cakes right off the grill.   And that entree will always have special meaning to me as long as I'm cooking.
When my time comes I'll be looking forward to meeting you and Tippy,   Semper Fi, from a friend.

Like Al believed that Tippy was his Angel during WWII, Al is my Angel.  Besides teaching me how to hunt and fish and love the great outdoors, he taught me how to be a man, how to love God and exposed me to the true important things in life.  Al is my hero, my mentor and one of my closest friends.  God Bless the Tesch family and thank you Al for giving your time to a clumsy misguided teenager.

OBITUARY

Albert Tesch

October 21, 1924 – August 14, 2010

Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery

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