Explore RAA.ROCKS Lifestyle

Russell “Rock” Albrecht started his journey on August 26th, 1954. He walked his path until October 16th, 2023 and died in Oxnard, CA at 9:52PM after a long illness that was triggered during 11/9/2018 Woolsey Fires.

Russell was born to the late Edward Albrecht (12/1999) and the late Margaret Albrecht (11/2022) in New Jersey. He is survived by his siblings Deborah, Jay, Babs, Bruce, Carol, and Bette. The Albrecht’s moved to Oxnard, CA in the mid 1960’s becoming a very large family with lots of nieces and nephews and their numerous children.

Survived by his best friend and wife of 27 years, (Married August 25, 2001 in South Lake Tahoe) to Cathy “Crystal” Curtiss Albrecht. Rock met Cathy when she was moving to Point Dume In Malibu in the Summer of 1996. Their first date on June 16, 1997. Yes, he waited one year and on his first date he said “Finally my turn” which led to years of an amazing, heartfelt and a beautiful lifestyle. Their journey of marriage began on a boat with the Hawaiian style wedding reception, lots of great food, music and dancing. The celebration included a private docking with two blowing conch horn shells announcing their arrival in Emerald Bay. Great photo moments and a classic memory for everyone who came by.  

Rock is also survived by Cathy’s family of her two brothers Chuck and Dale, their wives and kids and his sports buddy - Cathy’s Mom, Isabelle. Rock also is also survived by lots of friends who he “Loves sooo much”.

Graduated Port Hueneme High School in 1972, he excelled at making long lasting friendships telling stories to everyone he met. Russell enlisted in the Air-force after taking a year to travel just after his high school graduation and he really enjoyed the outdoors. He was very proud to spend time with his 1965 Midnight Blue Ford Mustang at Bergstom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas as a corrosion control specialist and metal cleaner. Russell loved all the cool cars trucks and rides. On his 60th Birthday his wife Cathy purchased him brand new 2014 Ford Mustang in Gray, his favorite color.

Rock’s uncanny skill set with math led him to be a bowling statistician as a teenager at the Tournament Bowling Alley. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force - he returned to the Tournament Bowl in Oxnard. Rock always joked that he is a bartender mechanic and his career started the very first day of turning 21. He loved working, meeting people, introducing them to each other, and clearly he always had a prescience of being social. 

During his career he worked at the Pierpont Inn in Ventura, CA. He really, really enjoyed his 4 years at Harrahs Hotel and Casino in Reno Nevada.  He returned to Oxnard to work again at Tournament Bowl, Shacks Landing, and Sam’s Saloon. In 1995 Rock moved to Malibu and worked at the famous Point Dume Room where he met his wife Cathy in 1996 and in 2006 Rock changed work locations to Spruzzo Bar and Restaurant overlooking Zuma Beach until he retired in August 2020.

During Rock’s celebration of life on December 6th, 2023 at “The Raven Tavern” in Oxnard, CA - family and friends reminisced about his years of happy living and how much they cherished his connections to every time that was spent with him including the lifelong nicknames that everyone gave each other. His love of Sports (The Rams, The Lakers, and The Dodgers) always had years of enjoyment with so many occasions. He ran sports pools for the joy of just being able to have people have a great time and to share being happy. His signature joy was infectious. Even when facing mortality there was always a joke, laughter and a cheerful energy with his signature open arms hugs and smile. During one MRI he was being escorted by gurney to the machine and he was humming the theme to the “Shining” and said that “the wizards are going to fix his brain”. After the MRI he said to the technician “thanx for letting me use your machine” and upon exit he smiled mischievously towards Cathy and said he had a “new brain with the same big heart.”

Russell was with his wife Cathy while she played music for him in his last hours. (Thanx also to all the family and friends that came by too). His last breath was notably to the song “Knock, Knock, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” version by Eric Clapton. His warrior spirit and the “come on let’s go” when needing to get thing’s done was fierce as he navigated his disabilities.

His last recorded words “I love you so much” and “I love you a lot” was said to include everyone, everything, and universally to connect to what he always knew naturally - “How to live and love”. Russell donated his body to the Omega Society with the Science of Care program. He called it “Rock’s Plan”. He wanted everyone to “learn” from what happened to him. A “Legacy” letter has been received that describes in detail what his body donation was put towards.

Russell is known to celebrate whole-heartedly for every occasion. His favorite Holiday is “Valentine’s Day”. Cathy Crystal decided to share Russell “Rock” Albrecht’s story with you this Valentine Day 2024.  There is a creative work in development so people can share the sense of wisdom, humor, and eternal love through many stories with video, audio, and other items. Please feel free to share at https://raa.rocks

Rock’s blessing today and Happiest Valentines Day - Peace, love, harmony, happiness, and joy, “I love you so much” and to have been deeply loved by my dearest husband of my life, “The Wife” Cathy Crystal