Necrology

Albert Leon Specht '57

Apr. 1, 1936-Sep. 21, 2018

Albert Leon Specht, Jr. ’57, a high school earth science teacher of Setauket, N.Y., was born on April 1, 1936, in Yonkers, N.Y., the son of the former Eleanore Martin and Albert Specht. He graduated from Robert L. Simpson High School in Huntington, N.Y.

At Hamilton, Specht majored in geology and was a member of Emerson Literary Society and the Outing Club, where he began nurturing a love for rocks, minerals, and fossils.

Shortly after graduating, Specht conducted field work for the U.S. Geological Survey on the Colorado Plateau in Utah. He then spent six months of active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps and continued as a member of the Reserves. He earned a master’s in education from the University of Massachusetts in 1960 before beginning a long career as an earth science teacher at Bayport-Blue Point High School in Bayport, N.Y.  In 1989, he was voted “Teacher of the Year” by his colleagues.

For his 50th reunion yearbook, Specht noted the impact of the College on his life: “A small college with teachers willing to give their time set the tone for my becoming a teacher. I chose a small high school and tried to emulate Drs. Potter and Hawley in my teaching methods.”

After his retirement from teaching in 1991, Specht started a business, Gallery North, selling rocks and fossils. According to a published obituary, this venture was the perfect excuse for him to pursue his passion — traveling, exploring, and purchasing samples. He noted that he had been to 49 states (all but Kansas). Specht also enjoyed playing golf, a carry-over sport from his Hamilton days.

Albert L. Specht died on Sept. 21, 2018. He was 82 and is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, the former Mary McGunnigle; six children; and 11 grandchildren.

Necrology Home