Gene K. Alber

Gene K. Alber, 82, of La Porte, Indiana, passed away on March 13, 2026, at Northwest Health La Porte.

Born on March 2, 1944, in Logansport, Indiana, to Leo and Ethel Alber, Gene served his country for three years as a U.S. Army soldier with the 24th Infantry Division in West Germany during the 1960s. He was honorably discharged as Sergeant E-5, then earned a master’s degree in secondary education from Indiana State University. He went on to become a teacher, coach, athletic director, and assistant principal at Rogers High School. His career later took him to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and San Antonio, Texas—cities that remained dear to him for the many friendships formed there. In retirement, he returned to Indiana and continued working as a substitute teacher for the La Porte school system.

Gene believed deeply in the power of education and passed that value on to his children and grandchildren. He was a man who marched to the beat of his own drum. Known to his students as “Mr. A,” he loved sharks, stayed current with the latest Stephen King novel, and was always ready for a cross-country road trip. He held a special passion for Lake Michigan, leading his grandchildren onto the beach at Washington Park each year regardless of the cold. He lived by three simple rules he taught his students: Be nice. Do what is right. Do your best. Above all, he cherished his family, his faith, and his yellow lab, SharkieLiz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandmother Mollie Alber; the mother of his children, Mary Alber; sister Marion “Lou” Beale; brother-in-law John Beale; in-laws Richard D. and Mildred Stanton; cousin Wes Parmeter; and his beloved companion SharkieLiz.

Gene is survived by his children, Tracy (David) Jakel of Michigan City and Christopher (Gina) Alber of La Porte; grandchildren Maverick (Selim) Blanton of Lille, France, Alexa (Giovanni) Blanton of Rome, Italy, and Chase Alber of La Porte; great-granddaughter Eleonora Vassallo of Rome, Italy; nieces Pam (Bill) Mickler, Kris (David) Downey, and Lisa (Ed) Beale; nephew Tom (Leana) Beale; and many beloved family members and friends. He will be deeply missed.