In any case, she did choose tiny College of Idaho. There, in chemistry class, Kathryn met a hard-working young man named Joseph A. Albertson [blog, Oct 17]. Joe had a job as a clerk at a Safeway store. At the time, students called the College “Dr. Boone’s marriage mill,” referring to the school’s founder and first President, William Judson Boone [blog, Nov 5].
Joe and Kathryn only added to the legacy. On New Years Day 1930, the Reverend Boone wrote in his diary, “Marry Katheryn [sic] McCurry to Joseph A. Albertson. 52 present, very fine and very pretty.”
While Kathryn ran their home, Joe’s hard work and knack for the business brought steady advancement at Safeway stores. Eventually, he supervised over a dozen outlets. But, as with all innovators, Albertson had his own ideas on how to run a better store. By 1939, Joe and Kathryn were ready to pursue his dream.
In July, Joe and two business partners opened the first Albertson’s Store on Boise’s State Street. The company had opened three stores by the end of 1940.
Kathryn involved herself enough with the stores to earn the affectionate nickname “Mrs. A” from employees. The grocery store, and then supermarket, and then “super-store” company grew steadily. They took the company public in 1959 – investors and mutual funds soon made the stock a favorite in their portfolios.
The couple showed their philanthropic bent early, enthusiastically promoting war bonds and scrap drives during World War II. Contributions large and small flowed to a wide variety of civic projects and institutions, including the College of Idaho. In 1966, they created the J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation to manage their extensive charitable activities.
One outstanding example of their benevolence began in 1979. The Albertsons donated land near the Boise River with the stipulation that it be developed into a park within ten years. The deadline approached, but the city couldn’t afford to do anything. So Joe took charge and paid to have the work done. The result – Kathryn Albertson Park – was built as a minimalist, eco-friendly park for walkers only. It’s considered one of the best city parks of its kind anywhere. (Kathryn generally shunned publicity, so we don’t know how she felt about the name on the park.)
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| Water feature, Kathryn Albertson Park. City of Boise photo. |
In 1991, the College of Idaho officially changed its name to Albertson College of Idaho to honor years of generous donations from Joe and Kathryn. College administrator also wanted to emphasize for other potential donors that they are not part of the state’s public school system. Joe passed away two years later.
Kathryn, if anything, increased the foundation’s good works after Joe’s death. She also carried on his vision for Albertson Corporation, and in 1998 company leaders recognized her as the first Director Emeritus, a lifetime position on the Board of Directors. She passed away in April 2002.
Their memories carry on through the Foundation, Kathryn Albertson Park, and the accomplishments of all those they helped. In 2007, after another substantial bequest from the Foundation, their alma mater returned to just The College of Idaho name.
| References: “Kathryn Albertson,” Quest magazine, College of Idaho (Summer 2002). |
| Louie W. Attebury, The College of Idaho, 1891-1991: A Centennial History, © College of Idaho, Caldwell (1991). |
| Biography: Kathryn Albertson, J. A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation |
| Merle Wells, Arthur A. Hart, Idaho: Gem of the Mountains, Windsor Publications, Inc., Northridge, California (1985). |