Alvin Herman Witte Jr. was born on August 7th, 1941 to Charlotte and Alvin Witte, Sr. on a farm in Webster county, Nebraska. He died May 10, 2022 at an age of 80 years old in Champaign, Illinois. His grave marker is in the Blue Hill, Nebraska cemetery.
Alvin rode a horse to attend a one-room schoolhouse during his grade school years. He attended Blue Hill high school, graduating in 1959. Alvin enjoyed success as a high school football player, and was selected for the all-state team. He was elected president of his senior high school class, and was selected for Cornhusker Boys State 1958.
Alvin received a football scholarship to attend Hastings College in Nebraska and played for the Broncos during his freshman year. However, he inadvertently lost his athletic eligibility after receiving a low grade in Spanish, which he did not realize would affect his eligibility. While pursuing his studies, Alvin worked night shifts at Metz Bakery and took a semester off to contribute to the construction of Interstate 80. He successfully completed his education at Hastings College, graduating in May 1965 with a Bachelor's degree in English and a minor in History. Later, he pursued advanced studies towards a Master's degree at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
Alvin and Kathleen Ann Brannigan were married on December 30, 1964, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Hastings, Nebraska. The ceremony was a double wedding, also including Alvin's sister Marie and her husband John Degener.
Alvin and Kathleen had four children named James, Stephen, Gerald, and Amy. Alvin's career included roles as a school teacher, principal, and industrial engineer. The family resided in Bladen, Lincoln, Stratton, Columbus, Hastings in Nebraska, farmsteads near Blue Hill, Nebraska, and in Shenandoah, Iowa. After their children were grown, Al and Kathy lived near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Sandusky, Michigan, Urbana, Illinois and Champaign, Illinois.
Alvin was skilled in home repairs and remodeling. He operated a rental business in Hastings for several years.
Alvin enjoyed golf, bowling, pool, and bridge. He was a supporter of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, focusing on football and women's volleyball. He introduced many relatives and friends to the game of golf. Following Nebraska's Big10 entry, he attended several of their football games in Champaign, Illinois.
