Rowan graphic. - Graphics Editor / Brendan Cohen
Kenneth Albone, a retired communications professor at Rowan University, passed away at the age of 70 on March 31.
According to a Facebook post from the Page Funeral Home, Albone died of natural causes, having passed away peacefully in his sleep at Masonic Village, a retirement community in Burlington. A funeral mass was held for Albone last week on Wednesday, April 9 at the St. Paul Church in Burlington.
“Above all, Scooter treasured being a father. He was his daughters’ biggest fan, supporting them in all their pursuits and taking special joy that they both attended Rowan University, where he taught. He rarely missed a concert or event and even self-published their writing. Later in life, his favorite role became that of grandfather, cherishing every moment spent with his grandsons,” the Facebook post said.
Albone had taught at Rowan for 40 years, starting in 1982 and retiring in 2022. During his time at Rowan, Albone taught courses such as public speaking, interpersonal communication, and small group communication. Before becoming a professor at Rowan, Albone had obtained a B.S. in psychology from Lake Superior State University, a M.A. in speech communication from Miami University, and a Ph.D. in communication studies from Bowling Green State University.
“The Communication Studies department at Rowan would not be what it is today without Ken’s many years of service. It was a pleasure to work with him for several of those years,” said Dr. Allison S. Williams, a communication studies instructor at Rowan.
Growing up in Sault Ste. Marie, Albone was given the nickname “Scooter” when he was a baby, as he always scooted along the floor instead of crawling, and the nickname stuck with him for his entire life.
“I didn’t know Ken well enough to know that his nickname was “Scooter,” but I remember a glorious evening in his family home in Pitman. The Albones were throwing a party. I have never felt so welcomed in my life. Helena and Elsie and especially Nina just brought smiles to our faces with their warmth and sincerity. That enchanted evening will live forever in my heart. I knew I was considered a friend when Ken asked me to take him to the airport in the middle of the night well after the get-together. Of course I agreed,” said Dr. Denis Mercier, a retired communications studies professor who taught for 35 years at Rowan.
Albone is survived by his daughters, Elsie Hornblum and Nina DeLong, his adopted son, Edin Omeragic, his grandchildren, and his siblings, Brad Albone, Kathy Hibner, Sandy Beatty, and Todd Albone.
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