The Lafayette Leader
Tippecanoe County, Indiana
January 11, 1973
Page 12
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DEATHS - CITY, COUNTY
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DR. VICTOR L.
ALBJERG, 80, of 1007 Riverton Drive, West Lafayette, died
Jan. 5 in St. Elizabeth Hospital where he had bee hospitalized since Dec.
26. Dr. Albjerg, who rose to become an outstanding professor of history at
Purdue University although he was born to Danish emigrants who didn't speak
English, joined the Purdue faculty in 1926 and was recognized for his
distinguished reaching when he received the Sigma Delta Chi Best Teacher Award
in the 1950's. He was born on his parent's farm near Fergus Falls, Minn.,
and learned English in the public schools. He attended Hamline University
for three years and received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of
Minnesota in 1918. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and
served as ensign during World War I with service overseas. After tow years
as Superintendent of City Schools, Gary, S.D., he returned to the University of
Wisconsin where he received his master's and PhD degrees. He retired from
the Purdue faculty in 1963 after 37 years, and then taught three years at St.
Norbert's College, Wis. In 1927 he was married to the late Dr.
Marguerite Hall, who had been head of history department at Alabama
State College for Women. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Patricia
Graham, a professor at Barnard and Teachres College, Columbia
University who was honored by Purdue as an Old Master in 1971; and three
sisters, Esther Albjerg, Fergus Falls, Minn., Ann Albjert,
Fargo, N.D., and Mrs. Lawrence Strand, Great Falls, Mont.
Memorial service was held Jan. 7 at St. John's Episcopal Church, Rev. Benjamin
Tinsley officiating. Soller-Baker Funeral Home in charge.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Journal and
Courier
Lafayette, Indiana
January 5, 1973
Page A-4 Column 2-4
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PRIZE - WINNING
HISTORY PROF DIES
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[Picture with article]
Dr. Victor L.
Albjerg, 80, of 1007 Riverton Drive, WL [West Lafayette], who rose to
become an outstanding professor of history at purdue University although he was
born to Danish emigrants who didn't speak English, died at 1:55 a.m. today in
St. Elizabeth Hospital. Dr. Albjerg had been hospitalized since Dec. 26.
Dr. Albjerg joined the
Purdue faculty in 1926 and was recognized for his distinguished teaching when he
received the Sigma Delta Chi Best Teacher Award in the 1950s.
He was also honored as
one of the 11 foundation members when the Purdue Phi Beta Kappa chapter was
organized in 1971.
Dr. Albjerg was born on
his parent's farm near Fergus Falls, Minn., Jan. 4, 1892. His
parents, Niels and Karen Albjerg, had emigrated from
Denmark to this country in the 1880's.
The future Purdue
professor's first language was Danish. He learned English in the public
schools.
Upon completion of the
eighth grade, Dr. Albjerg became completely self-supporting, financing his
further education by farm work and by teaching in rural and later city schools.
He attended Hamline
University for three years and received his bachelor of arts degree from the
University of Minnesota in 1918.
Following graduation he
immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as an ensign during World War I
with service overseas.
After two years as
Superintendent of City Schools, Gary, S.D., he returned to the University of
Wisconsin where he received his master's and PhD degrees. Thirty-seven
years of distinguished teaching in the Purdue history department followed.
Upon retirement from
Purdue in 1963, he taught three years at St. Norbert's College, West DePere,
Wisc. St. Norbert's awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in
1967.
In 1927 he was married to
the late Dr. Marguerite Hall, who had been head of the
history department at Alabama State College for Women. They met in a
history seminar at the University of Wisconsin. She later taught at Purdue
and served in the Dean of Women's Office until her retirement in 1962.
Dr. Albjerg's
daughter, Mrs. Patricia Graham, is a professor Barnard and
Teachers College, Columbia University. She was honored by Purdue as an Old
Master in 1971.
Dr. Albjerg was a member
of numerous organizations including the American Historical Assoication, Alpha
Phi Omega and the Indiana Historical Society.
He was the author of over
50 articles in professional journals and five books including a biography of the
first president of Purdue, Richard Owen. His latest book, "Winston
Churchill, Herald of Victory," is due to publication this year.
He collaborated with his
wife on two books, "From Sedan to Stresa," published in 1937 and
"Europe From 1914 to the Present," published in 1951.
Surviving with his
daughter are three sisters, Esther Albjerg, Fergus Falls,
Minn.; Anna Albjerg, Fargo, N.D.; and Mrs. Lawrence
(Agnes) Strand, Great Falls, Mont.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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