Al was a boisterous and strong influence on me.  I spent many Summers being around and with him in Cincinnati.  He took me along on his many adventures during his High School and after years while i was 9 years his junior.  A cousin who inspired me to think and discover concepts and ideas in a burgeoning world he introduced me to.  One adventure involved riding aaound in a Nash auto my Uncle, his father bought in 1949.  He influenced me to go on to higher education and seek answers to life's eternal mysteries.  I will always remember his infectious laugh and sense of humor about life and his love of contemporary music including Spike Jones and the City Slickers. record collection.  Now aging has brought me to this page and a decision to write this honorarium to him.  He taught me to think beyond myself and look at ideas as friends not enemies.  Thanks Al, and sorry to miss out on our relationship for so many years;  a most regrettable loss!

We will miss Al coming by the cabin with that white hat, a smile, and a honk. He was a good man and neighbor.  Al was always friendly and had a great love of life.  We miss you.
Dean and Mary Alyce Kahn

Ken and I enjoyed viewing all the great family photos.  We are sorry that we didn't get to know Al better.  We always enjoyed talking to him and viewing your art collection.  We know how much he will be missed!  Ken and Duchess Roberts

Was one of my bosses for seven and a half wonderful years at GSB. Was a delight to work with. I will always remember him, all of the staff at GSB and his son Mark with fond memories.

Thankful, Thankful, Thankful...  that my father worked very hard so that my mother could stay home and raise her children. That we were always warm, safe and fed. That my father was a Christian and had devoted the last years of his life to Christ  and people who needed a mentor. That He showed his love through protection and strength.  That he fought like a hero and fought every fight out of love  for his beautiful, sweet caring wife, which is my mother. 
  And then God called you home. And now dad you need to know...We will love and protect our mother with every part of our being!! We have got this Dad!!! And I know you will be awaiting our arrival!  May you Now and Forever Rest In Peace!
       I LOVE YOU DAD!!!



   We first met Al when he was planning their future home and retreat in Bear Creek back in 1999 and Herb was on the architectural committee.  It was very apparent that he was designing a home that he and Jeanette wanted to be warm, inviting, family oriented, and 'fitting into' the beautiful mountain surroundings.  The end result is exactly that- a beautiful cabin that invites you in and welcomes you with an amazing display of art and architecture reflecting their love of beautiful things and their love of nature.  
  Al personally served on the Architectural Committee for many years and he and Herb had many enjoyable times swapping architectural stories and experiences.
  Al was a kind and stabilizing influence for our community.  He will not be forgotten.

Herb & Rosie Bohannon, Bear Creek & Albuquerque, NM

My father loved nature and art. He had a way to explain and show things that made learning fun and educational. Sometimes as a child it seemed overwhelming and boring, but l as I grew older I really understood and valued what he was trying to teach us.  
I remember driving past amusement parks and wishing we would stop, but he would just laugh and drive on so he could share what he really appreciated with us.  He would take us to places like Tsa-La-Gi where we learned the story of the Trail of Tears, to the pueblos in New Mexico and Colorado, to where the buffalo roamed in the Wichita Wildlife Refuge, to Beaver's Bend State Park, to Alabaster Caverns, and it seemed like we visited every state park along the way.  (Even though I would get car sick during the long drives.) He taught us how the American Indians lived off the land and how they made beautiful pottery. As an architect, he was fascinated by the pueblos, the ancient churches, the adobe houses, and how people who knew little about physics managed to create such great structures.  He even used these principles in the construction of the house we grew up in Arrowhead Hills.  The house had a high arched ceiling without rafters or any sign of support other than the walls.  He used large stones columns outside the walls that prevented the weight of the ceiling from pushing out the walls.  To me this was amazing, but to him it was tipping his hat to the architects that came before him.
He collected crosses, Kachina dolls, pottery, and paintings.  He read books about the artists and could sometimes tell you either who created the piece or who influenced the artist that created the piece.    He also carried forward the influence of the Bode Wagons and the influence of the Native Americans into his work as an architect. He used these to create a modern look that also reflected the past.  You could see it in his houses, the stage used by Shakespeare in the Park, the Zoo Aquatic Center, even the hand written Christmas Cards where he hid money for us at Christmas.
One of my favorite nature excursions was to Beaver's Bend State Park where we secretly fed vanilla wafers to the raccoons, played miniature golf, rode horses, paddle boated, and fished.  He loved to fish.  He spent many of his Saturday mornings fishing various lakes, farm ponds, and trout streams. I remember him showing his accurate casting ability by casting into an old metal pot  or perhaps he did it just to agitate my mother. He would take us on hikes and point out all the wildlife. When we visited him in Colorado, he would drive through the mountains just so he could show us a glimpse of a deer or elk.
My father loved music.  We were the only house in the neighborhood that played jazz and rock n roll as loud as the stereo could play.  My brothers and sisters and I would dance around the house and sing into anything that resembled a microphone.  Sometimes he would dance with us.  He was always on the front row of the Edmond Jazz Festival. He would have us bring him food and refreshments so he would not have to leave, lose his spot, or miss a single song.  He really loved his music and taught me to enjoy music just as much.  
My father taught me a lot. Not in the traditional sense of reading, writing, and arithmetic; but to respect history, art, music, the outdoors, to be traditional and proper   to share what you love with others.  We love you Dad.  May you rest in peace

Dear Jeanette and Family,
My name is Virginia Fenner and my husband was Richard (Dick) Fenner.  Dick passed away a year ago this past February so I know the pain you and your family are feeling. Dick loved Al and worked with him on many projects when he was with Harmon Construction Co. I have great memories of Dick talking about Al with much respect and admiration. Take care of yourselves and you will be in my prayers.

I loved meeting the entire Bode family.  I know Albert loved his family and was so proud of each one of you...That's the most important legacy on this earth...Fabulous family!

OBITUARY

Albert W Bode II

October 11, 1932 – March 28, 2017

Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors and Rose Hill Burial Park

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