Albert Henry Santjer was a loving father and husband, always willing to help a stranger or tackle any fix-it challenges. He was a proud veteran who valued hard work and physical fitness, equally happy to demonstrate a black-belt judo move or wrestle with a grandchild.

Albert passed away March 6, 2025, surrounded by family and devoted caregivers. He was 93. Albert was born in 1932 in Bejou, Minnesota, to William and Anna (Plowman) Santjer, the youngest of six children. He moved to Washington state as a child, living in Seattle and later Sunnyside, where he met the love of his life, Ramona Harris. The two married in 1953 and settled in Richland, where they raised four sons.

Albert proudly served his country in the Air Force from 1951 to 1960, including service in the Korean War, and later in the Army Reserve. He studied computer science and worked for Boeing Computer Services and Computer Sciences Corp.

Family time included car camping vacations, road trips to the Pacific Coast and summer picnic suppers in the family boat, drifting on the Columbia River. Life lessons for his sons included car and home repairs and the importance of never giving up.

Faith was an important part of Albert’s life. He attended Canyonville Bible Academy as a young man and served as a chaplain in the Army Reserve. He worshipped at Central United Protestant Church in Richland and was happy to be able to worship online in his later years.

Physical fitness was one of his core values. He earned a black belt in judo and was an avid runner. After his career in computer science, he served on the Hanford Patrol helicopter SWAT team.

Albert enjoyed bowling and dancing, and he had a soft spot for the family pets, often letting their birds ride on his shoulder in the house. He loved to laugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ramona; brothers Arnold, Lester and William; and sisters Hilda Ladd and Hattie Hoekstra.

He is survived by sons Steven (Leova), David (Grace), Daniel (Margaret) and Ronald; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., April 27, 2025, at Einan’s at Sunset Funeral Home, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, Washington, 99352. Inurnment will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens.