I miss you so often. Especially your laugh and your positive outlook. I am thinking of you today on your birthday. And I can't believe we lost you 10 years ago. I hope you can be with Mom, Dad and Tom in heaven. I plan to be in the Puget Sound area next August and I hope to see your sons and friends there.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Al Alquist, 59, of Bothell Washington who passed away on December 29, 2013 in Minneapolis surrounded by family after a hard fought battle with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Al is preceded in death by his father, Severn G Alquist. He is survived by beloved fiancée, Brenda Mork; sons, Nicholas & Benjamin; mother, Frances Alquist; brother Larry (Patti) Alquist; sister, Karen Johnson; nieces, Greta & Ingrid Alquist, Katie Johnson; nephew, Erik Alquist and many dear friends and relatives.
He was born on November 30, 1954 to Severn and Frances Alquist in Minneapolis MN. He graduated from Osseo High School and earned degrees in biology and physiology from the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington. He worked as a medical scientist at the University of Washington Medical Center.
Al will be remembered for his lifelong love of sports and the outdoors. He coached youth basketball, baseball and soccer and in later years umpired for little league, high school and college baseball games. In 2013 he received the "Brian Gooch Distinguished Service Award" from the Northwest Umpires Association. He enjoyed hiking, biking and spending time outside in the woods, mountains and on Whidbey Island with his sons, family and friends. Al will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Al's life will be at St. John's Episcopal Church at 913 2nd Street in Snohomish, WA on January 25, 2014 at 11a.m. Special thanks to the medical staff at University of Minnesota Medical Center Transplant Program and 4A Medical ICU. Memorials may be sent in his name to Life Center Northwest (lcnw.org). His family requests that all who are inspired by Al's life complete organ donor registration when you renew your drivers' license or online at https://www.lifesourcedonorregistry.org.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI miss you so often. Especially your laugh and your positive outlook. I am thinking of you today on your birthday. And I can't believe we lost you 10 years ago. I hope you can be with Mom, Dad and Tom in heaven. I plan to be in the Puget Sound area next August and I hope to see your sons and friends there.
Happy Birthday my dear Al. You are so missed! I have not forgotten our date at the gate. Love you always, Brenda
Today I’ve been thinking of when you coached my women’s softball team and how patient you were with us. You challenged us in ways we’d never been before. I’d always played outfield and you put me in at 3rd base! Whoa!
You are missed, my gentle friend.
From Al: "...I continue to appreciate the calming moments and calming people...Those that have alot to say through quiet and peaceful living in the present moment...The folks that have achieved balance through their past and remain optimistic about their life span, their occasional detours and their ability to withstand hardship. I have had so many people in my life that have conferred 'this presence' and their disposition of calm and of confidence with themselves and their 'present moments' with those around them. I seem to meet these people when I need it most...My wonderful support groups who have helped me endure this latest chapter (transplant prep, surgery, & recovery) in my life."
These words from Al still "warm my heart" like it was yesterday! He is truly missed. Sending hugs to the Alquist family, Jacki
The AZ Snowbirds will be doing a bike ride today with memories of Al.
Ride on, Al!
Thank you for everything - Literally.
With Limitless Love,
Your Youngest
Happy birthday, gentle friend....
Peace
Peace, gentle friend.
Playing 313 with you and the family. I remember we would bring out the big Mexican hat and make the winner of the round wear it until they lost a round...
Love you <3
Peace, gentle friend.
Love, Katie
I miss you terribly today on your birthday - would've been 60 years old. Your easy smile, infectious laugh and always cheerful outlook. Wish we were out biking, hiking, or sitting under a tree watching the sunrise over a Minnesota lake. Love you always, Karen
Love,
Sharon
Love beyond belief,
Your young one.
Al was such a kind, friendly guy, always ready to share a big smile. He often would ride his bicyle to work I can still picture him coming onto the 8th floor of Rehab Med, decked out in his bike clothes, invigorated and ready to begin his day.
He loved to share stories of his young sons - like the time he bought them a shop vac & the fun they had vacuuming up all the water on the basement floor! I could tell he loved his boys very much.
I am so glad I to have known Al and send all of you, his family & friends, my sincere condolences. -Pam Pogemiller
I remember Al as Karen's little brother! My times spent with the Alquist family were always happy and fun. It was so long ago and yet I remember those days as being very important to me in my growing up years. . .especially the junior high years. I also remember the food was good!
Thank you for sharing this website. It is nice to learn more about the man that Al became and to see all of the family pictures. If I were going to describe Al as a boy, the words I would use would be "quiet", "kind" and "smart". I can tell from seeing his memorial website, he grew up to be those things and so much more!
Love,
Sharon
I considered Al as one of my best friends in high school. He was always gentle, soft spoken, and genuine. We kept in contact after graduation. Al coached my women's softball team through my work, and boy did he have his hands full! But despite the chaos, he remained calm, soft spoken, and positive. Years later, after Al moved to Washington, I went out for a visit, stopping at Greg Schweikert's on the way, of course!
I have so many fun memories hanging out with Al, like a big brother I never had. Facebook brought the miles closer in recent years, and I'm so grateful to have reconnected after raising our families.
Please know my heart will be with you January 25th as you celebrate the special gifts Al gave us during his full life.
Blessings and peace,
Nyki Stocco Uhrich
My deepest sympathy to Al's family, to Karen, to Fran and to Larry.
Leave a Tribute
I miss you so often. Especially your laugh and your positive outlook. I am thinking of you today on your birthday. And I can't believe we lost you 10 years ago. I hope you can be with Mom, Dad and Tom in heaven. I plan to be in the Puget Sound area next August and I hope to see your sons and friends there.
I coordinate a motorcycle ride each summer of umpires from Northwest Baseball Umpires Association. I have renamed this annual ride The Al Alquist Annual Memorial Ride. I this about Al often when thing get tough in my life and then realize nothing I have to deal with remotely compares to what my good friend Al suffered through. He was and still is an inspiration to me and many others. Blessings to Al's family. I will never forget. Gary Coy
MY #2 SON...AL
Al was a very special part of our home and of the "Schweikert Family"!
He and my son, Greg, grew up together & were best "buds" all through Edgewood Elementary School & into Osseo Jr. & Sr. High. They continued their strong friendship into their adult lives even when "distance" separated them....each going to different States....but they were never further than a phone call away.
Al was a very strong, but soft spoken, witty and loveable guy and I will always remember him that way!
My heart is full and sad for Fran and the family. I know what it is like to lose a child! May GOD hold them close and give them the comfort that they need right now!
I shall always miss those "HUGS" from my #2 Son......with loving memories!
Mom Schweikert
Tennis ball fights, Frisbee, riding lawn mowers, walks to the lake, rides in the VW Beetle with the sun roof open, picnics, spaghetti & meatballs and Squirt (soda)...these are some of the memories I have of being invited to "Aunt Franny's" house.
My sister, Lisa and I loved going out to the country to hang out with Larry, Karen and Al.
We were closest in age to Al, the fun, athletic teenager who loved to throw a Frisbee with us and make us laugh. HIS laugh was infectious and I must admit, we both had a crush on him! It was always a great time when we got together.
After I got married, my husband Mike and I visited Al & Kimberly in Seattle. He, of course, offered for us to stay with him for the week. He made sure that we were able to spend some quality time together. We took a trip to Olympic National Park where we hiked and explored tide pools on the beach. He so much loved the outdoors and nature and so do we.
In 1995 we visited again and this time he had two sons. We had a great week once again staying at their house and getting to know Ben & Nick. We all took a trip to Whidbey Island and had fun catching up and exploring the beach. Of course Al would be a good dad...he was good at everything!
People like Al are in our lives to remind us to be kind to others, to care for others, to laugh as much as possible and to get "every last drop" out of life.
Why Al's life was cut short, we will never know. All I can say is that I am grateful that he was a part of mine!
I will always remember you, Al Alquist ....
With love,
from Mike and Lori to Nick & Ben, Fran, Karen, Larry and Al's fiancé, Brenda and their families