June 2023
FMCA recently learned of the passing of Al Talbott, F223128, former national vice president, Midwest Area, who died on August 24, 2022. The Springfield, Illinois, resident was 87.
Al and his wife, Dory, enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and joined FMCA in 1997. They belonged to 14 FMCA chapters, with charter membership in three of them. The couple were rally masters for more than 30 rallies and served in numerous chapter leadership positions, including Al’s role as president of the Lincolnland Coachmen.
Both Al and Dory held offices within the Midwest Area Cooperative (MAC). Al oversaw the MAC as president, volunteered as chairman of coach exhibits for numerous Midwest Area rallies, and served on the rally site selection committee, among other positions.
Al also served on FMCA’s Convention Committee; Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee; and Marketing Strategy Committee, the latter including a year as chairman. He and Dory also volunteered at FMCA international conventions.
Al’s professional career included work for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, ultimately as director of telecommunications. In 1999 he retired as chief telephone engineer from the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Al served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959 and in the Air Force Reserves until 1963. He was said to have been proud to travel with Land of Lincoln Honor Flight in August 2019; this organization transports military veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit their war memorials. He also was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
Al is survived by his wife, Dory, as well as six children, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Private services were held in August, with military honors conducted by the U.S. Air Force.