February 4th, 1924 - March 31st, 2024
Albert Slobodin passed away on Sunday, March 31st. He was an artist, music lover, audiophile, WWII veteran, conscientious citizen, and a gentle, loving, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Born in 1924 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, he was the child of Jewish immigrants who were forced to flee their home in the Pale of Settlement region of the Russian Empire. Al never forgot his New York roots, proudly wearing a Brooklyn Dodgers ball cap until the end of his life.
In many ways, Al’s life was blessed by his impressive drawing skills. During WWII, he served in the Signal Corps of the 8th Army Air Corps in Ipswich, England. There, the illustrations he penned on envelopes sent back to family in New Jersey were noticed by someone with authority, and Al was subsequently transferred to Special Services. He spent the last two years of the war putting his artistic talents to use, creating signs and theatre backdrops for the USO and various entertainment productions. This turn of fate may have saved his life: his beloved cousin, who enlisted with him, was killed in battle.
Al later attended the iconic Art Students League of NY on the GI Bill. The love of his life, Jean Adams, was also a student at the League during the same period, but the two did not cross paths until Al moved to Denver to begin a new life as a commercial artist. Al and Jean married only a few months after meeting, and this June would have been their 70th anniversary. Al’s commercial art skills took him to various industries including Martin Marietta, the Lowry Air Force Base, and UC Boulder, where he spent over twenty years as the Graphics Supervisor for Educational Media. In this role, he was instrumental in introducing new technology, such as the Color Xerox Machine in the 1970s. He taught his children film photography and built a darkroom in the family home. Inspired by Al, his daughter Linda developed a passion for film photography and ultimately pursued a career in this field.
Upon retirement, Al delved into 3-dimensional artwork such as ceramics and sculpture. Despite several health challenges, including macular degeneration, he continued to create art in his studio until the age of 99. Al was a prolific artist, leaving behind a studio filled with works in an array of media. Al’s commitment to understanding history and politics was reflected in his art, which explored themes of religious intolerance and hypocrisy.
Although Al tried valiantly to survive for the love of his life, his body had different plans. A few months following his 100th birthday, he passed away at home, watched over by his son and daughter. Al is survived by his wife Jean (also 100 years old), daughter Linda Slobodin, son Gregory Slobodin, grandchildren Kyla Slobodin, Kian Slobodin and Aaron Slobodin, greatgrandchildren Jack and Wiley Deering and Flora Sanchez ,and a brother Mervin Slobodin.
May his memory be a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to know him.
