Albert (Bud) Durry Niebergall passed away on January 19th, surrounded in his last days by his devoted family. His life was one marked deeply by family, faith, and so many songs.
Dad is survived by his wife and one true love of 64 years, Joan; his daughters, Rebecca Bishop (Todd), Teresa Colito (Sam), Anne Hunton, and Jennifer Norene; his sons Phillip Durry (Robin), Patrick and Jamie (Renae); his twenty-one grandchildren Melissa, Nick, Andrew, Stephanie, Hanna, Samuel Durry, Jake, Katie, Chantal, Justin Durry, Chevy, Amanda, Raiyah, Patrick Robbyn, Michael, Ashleigh, John III, Sasha, Emily, Caelin, and Macie; and his fourteen great grandchildren, Ava, Asher, Sophia, Naomi, Isla Joan, Amelia, Leo, Maxwell Durry, Ruby, Annabella, Lily, Kingston Durry, Kenley, and Kelsey.
He was preceded in death by his beloved sisters Janet Russel and Alicia Gendron, his brother Tom, his brother-in-law Wally Gendron, and his daughter-in-law Nancy Niebergall.
Dad’s life began in Walla Walla on November 14th, 1927. He was the second of four children born to Alicia Durry and Albert Niebergall. With a sparkle in his eye, he would always describe his hometown as “a place so nice, they named it twice.”
Dad’s life would always be marked by service to others. After graduating from St. Patrick’s High School in 1946, he joined the Marines for two tours, and spent time in Korea during the war. After returning, he attended Central Washington University. While in Ellensburg, he served his community as student body president. However, his duties and studies could not distract him so much that he missed the young, blonde ballerina that had come to Central. Mary Joan Anderson stole Dad's enormous heart. For over sixty years, he would tell anyone about his precious “Joanie”. Dad spent the last night of his life writing songs about Joan and singing them to the wonderful nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s hospital. No one that knew Dad would be surprised.
Dad and Joan got married in 1953, and began their journey and their family in Burlington, where Dad taught music. After a few years, they moved to Seattle where he attended the University of Washington. To support his young and growing family, Dad worked as a manager at Dick’s Drive-In. For the rest of his life, Dad never said no to a deluxe burger and shake.
After completing his studies, Dad started Niebergall Hearing Aid Center in 1957 in Seattle. Dad loved working with his patients to improve their hearing. He saw the chance to serve others in this way, helping improve the quality of life for so many. In 1968, he moved his business to Tacoma, settling his family in Fircrest. He loved his career as an audiologist, and continued working well into his seventies.
Despite a busy career and large family, Dad found time to serve his community in countless ways. He was an active member of the St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Tacoma, the church choir, and a participant in the Cursillo Movement. He was a compassionate, fearless defender of the unborn and a leader in the Pro Life movement for many years. He formed friendships that nurtured him to his final days. He was a lover of people, and had an unwavering faith in God.
Finally, Dad’s everlasting impression will be his voice. He was an accomplished tenor with an amazing gift and performed at many celebrations throughout his life. He took voice lessons until his mid-80’s, and was always trying to improve his craft. He would sing everywhere and to everyone. Any room, elevator, or acoustically adequate stairwell could serve as his performance hall.
Dad’s rosary will be January 25th at 430pm, funeral will be held on January 26th at a 11 am, both at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, in Tacoma, Washington. Memorial donations can be sent to Human Life of Washington, 40 Days for Life or St Charles Borromeo Parish.
Email stories about Dad’s life to bzniebs@comcast.net.

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