Lt. Col. (Ret.) Albert Virgil Goodpasture III, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, died at home on Sunday, February 7, 2016, in Topeka, Kan. Al’s life was one of servant leadership: in service to God, country, community and family. Humility was his defining trait, and he was a friend to all who knew him. He called himself an old country boy from Tennessee, but is remembered as a true gentleman.

Al was born March 30, 1936, in Nashville, Tenn., the son of Albert and Sally (Hamill) Goodpasture.

Al graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1954, attended Marion Military Institute for one year, and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1959 (“None so fine as ’59!”). He created lifelong friendships at West Point, especially among his company classmates in G1. He had many fond memories of West Point, but one of the highlights was playing fullback when the Academy fielded its first light-weight football team (150 pounds) and then defeated Navy 7-0 at Annapolis.

After graduation, Al took a commission in the infantry and attended Infantry Basic, Airborne and Ranger schools at Fort Benning, Ga. His first assignment was in Munich, Germany, with the 1st Battle Group, 21st Infantry, and later was with the 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Tölz, Germany. While there, he met his OAO (One-and-Only) Gisela “Gigi” Geibel on a blind date. Three years later they were married on July 20, 1963.

Al served his country for 23 years in the U.S. Army, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. The first was in 1966-67 as an advisor to the 51st Ranger Battalion (ARVN) and the second in 1969-70, with the 1st Cavalry Division as a staff officer at brigade and division levels. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and numerous other awards for valor, service and training.

Other duty stations included Fort Hood, Fort Knox and three years in Würzburg, Germany, as the 3rd Infantry Division’s G-5. From 1978 to 1981, he was on civilian component duty with the Kansas National Guard in Topeka. He was proud of the contribution the Army made to the outcome of the Cold War and in Vietnam. “Soldiers do not choose the wars that they fight,” he said.

After retiring from the Army in December 1981, Al became a certified public accountant and worked as a controller and an accountant with Karlan Furniture and Cummins, Coffman & Denny CPAs. He also volunteered for many community organizations, including tax preparation services for the poor.

He was a confirmed member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served as an elder and on the board. Al was an avid hunter and golfer, and enjoyed other activities such as bicycling with his grandchildren. Al and his wife Gigi loved to travel and visited five of the seven continents, including Antarctica.

His greatest joy was in spending time with his loving family. Al is survived by his wife, Gigi; sons, Victor Goodpasture and John (Nikki) Goodpasture; daughter, Alexandra (Shannon) Reilly; four grandchildren, Madison, Mason, Finnegan and Beatrice; three sisters, Ann Goodpasture, Martha Goodpasture and Sally (Robert) Duke; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 14, 2016, at Penwell-Gabel Midtown Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 15, 2016, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Al will be inurned with military honors in Nashville, Tenn. in May.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Topeka Rescue Mission or Special Olympics.

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