ALBRECHT, Erich Anthony "Rick" Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Sun., Feb. 5, 2012. Beloved husband of Genevieve C. "Gen" Albrecht (nee Douglas) loving father of Catherine (Marion) Hoormann of Nashville TN,, Carl (Leann) of Nashville TN and Douglas (Jennifer) Albrecht of St. Peters; loving grandfather of Brian (Jennifer) Pearia, Jacob and Claire Albrecht and Mike (Kelly) and Mark (Laura) Hoormann and loving great -grandfather of Braden Hoormann, dearest brother of George (Helen) Albrecht and Frances (Bob) McPherson both in Florida, and the late Bill Albrecht and brother-in-law of LaVerne Albrecht, dear uncle, cousin and a friend of so many.

Rick was born January 21st, 1934 in St. Louis County to Charles and Katie (Essen) Albrecht. He married the love of his life Genevieve Douglas. Their love for 57 years and had 3 children they raised in St. Charles County - have 5 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

While raising the family, he worked hard. Not only did he go to work in the day as a mechanic with Westlake Quarry and later as a supervisor at the Barnhart Quarry. He then started his own company, Advanced Aviation, where he was a flight instructor training new pilots and training current pilots to stay current with their skills and earn advanced ratings. Still, many evenings and most every weekend he would work at his true passion, his music.

Music was a part of his life since he was a young boy when he played with his father. For over 65 years, his music career stemmed from playing in his father’s band. Then under a stage name of “Rick Charles” he was the band leader of two bands, the Country Men and One of a Kind. The bands were a local favorite in the area. For 30 years they played Friday and Saturdays at the Meadow Park Steak House in Florissant, MO. All throughout the years he appeared on radio and TV shows, as the opening act for a host of Country Western Headliners touring through concert in St. Louis and Metro Illinois as well as recording on the record labels Paxton and First Harvest.

Rick had a great love and involvement for his faith and his church. As a parishioner for over 60 years, one of the things he was most devoted to was his attendance at his time for the Eucharistic Adoration. And of course his music once again became his contribution to the church, singing at the mass and especially for appearing at the Parish Picnic for 56 straight years. It must hold a record somewhere? He even received Proclamations from the city of Cottleville, St. Charles County and the State of Missouri for that dedication.

Whatever Rick was involved in, he was dedicated. He was a charter member of the church’s Knights of Columbus, Vice President of the MPA (Missouri Pilots Assoc.), past President and awarded a lifetime membership of the GSCFI (Greater St. Louis Flight Instructors), Vice President of the GCMA (Gateway Country Music Assoc.), published songwriter of Jellybean Tree Music (ASCAP), member of the CMA (Country Music Association) and Musician’s Union Local 2-197 AFM. A Man like Rick will be truly missed by Family, his Church, his fellow musicians, pilots, his many Friends and all those he was associated with.

Memorial mass on Sat., Feb. 11 at 12 Noon at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1355 Motherhead Road, Cottleville, MO.

PLEASE join the family for the memorial mass at noon and continue at the school cafeteria for a luncheon to further share your stories and memories of Rick.

IN LIEU of Flowers Masses or donations to the St. Vincent De Paul Society preferred.