Albie was born in Pierce County North Dakota on March 21, 1932 to Henry and O'tellia Burke. Albie had a sister name Shirley. Albie lived and worked on his family's farm until going away to Minot for high school. Albie studied piano with a teacher in Devils Lake ND for many years as an adolescent. Albie left the farm to go to college at the University of Chicago where he studied music, law and history, he got his PhD in History from the U of Chicago. Albie was married to Carolyn Moll for 24 years, they had two children, they moved to California after Albie obtained a job at California State University Long Beach. Albie became an avid runner and weight lifter and maintained his fitness throughout his life. He continued play the piano and work on pieces with enthusiasm. Albie taught US Constitutional History for 44 years at CSULB where he touched the lives of many student and colleagues. Albie retired August of 2011, he continued to work-out with friends and spend time reading and playing the piano in his Long Beach home.