Albert Robert "Boots" Kuehl, 89, passed from this life Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at Park Place in Mart. Services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, at the Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Chapel, with Scott Talley officiating. Burial will follow at the Riesel Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the funeral home.

Albert was born near Riesel to the late Edward and Bertha Ballman Kuehl. He graduated from Riesel High School in 1936 and attended Texas A&M University and Baylor University before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. He was a B-17 pilot during World War II. After the war he attained his LLB from Baylor University in 1948 and re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a JAG officer until his retirement in 1964. He also served a year in Korea during that time.

After retiring he worked a few years at Curry Office Supply in Waco and later as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Waco, retiring again in 1981. He opened a law office in Mart and later moved it to his home. Albert was a Methodist, but always attended Church of Christ services with his family as long as his health permitted. He'll be remembered as a quiet and generous man who loved his God and country and especially his family and county home.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, William, Edwin, Lee, Banard, Ted, Walter and Herbert; and sisters, Hertha Kuehl Albritton and Edna Kuehl McElroy.

Albert is survived by his wife, Rheba Rhodes Kuehl; son, Russell and wife, Connie, of Belton; daughters, Collene Sweeney and husband, Mark, of Georgetown, and Elizabeth Ann Kuehl, of Santa Fe, N.M.; grandsons, Shawn and Chad Bowman and Samuel Blackwell; granddaughter, Zoe Brook Blackwell; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Waco Tribune-Herald: 2/28/2008...P2