Albert Werner Pleus

Albert "Werner" Pleus was a man with deep faith in Christ Jesus who was filled with gratitude, even through his final days, when he passed peacefully on All Saints Day, November 1, 2023, at the age of 93. Although, those he has left behind are filled with intense sadness, it is along with much joy from many cherished memories of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend, and man of great faith who has passed his time on earth and is now with the Lord. He aged with grace, dignity, wisdom, and had an infectious sense of humor, to the delight of all who knew him. He was calm, cool, and collected; all served up with a Hollywood smile. His greatest contentment in life was spending time with his family, helping others, and embracing his Christian faith. Born in New York City, July 31, 1930, Werner’s family moved frequently for ten years, and then in 1940, he, his mother (Margaret Werner Pleus), and father (Albert Statius Pleus) settled on Long Island in Plandome, NY. There he remained until 2005, when he and his wife, Julie Hamilton Pleus, moved to Kennesaw, GA, to be close to their youngest son, Fr. Adrian C.H. Pleus. They decided that Kennesaw was closer than Honolulu (where their oldest son, Albert H. Pleus, resides with his family) or Munich, Germany (where their daughter, Marie M.H. Pleus, resides with her family). In 1947, Werner received a scholarship to Harvard University where he enjoyed being a member of the rowing team, the debate team, and the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770. He graduated cum laude in 1951 with a degree in Economics. After completing a year at Columbia Law School, he attended the US Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, and subsequently completed his JD at NYU Law School. Upon receiving his commission, he was stationed at Pearl Harbor performing cryptography, and was subsequently stationed in the Third Naval District, NY. Werner began his legal career at White & Case. Shortly thereafter, he met Julie Hamilton. After multiple attempts (all, except the final one, are under non-disclosure), she finally accepted his hand (despite him dragging her to lectures by conservative icon Bill Buckley). They were married on September 3, 1960. After White & Case, he worked as Senior Counsel for Columbia Broadcasting System and as General Counsel for Grumman Data Systems. Werner continued his legal career well into his retirement as general counsel for companies in the defense, energy, real estate, and private equity sectors. Always involved in public service, he led various groups that benefited hospitalized and disabled veterans, and even assisted with providing a private beach on Long Island for the disabled veterans so they could have discretion as they recovered. With his renaissance background and magnetic smile, along with his desire to help improve the lives of those around him, he jumped into politics. In 1965 he campaigned for office on the state and local levels. He ran hard on the issues of taxpayer relief and cuts in government spending (kind of like his friend Bill Buckley). As a conservative, he far exceeded expectations (according to the press at the time), even catching the eye and endorsement of Ronald Reagan, then governor of CA. Werner and Julie's third child, Adrian, was born in the middle of one of his campaigns, which also may have been a key factor in his popularity! When Werner was in his teens, his father made movies for Standard Brands, working closely with Jack Warner of Warner Bros. Studios, to promote their products, a novel concept for that day and time. Aware of Werner's charisma and acting talent, Jack offered Werner a membership in the Screen Actors Guild. While flattered, Werner decided "conservative Hollywood" was, perhaps, not for him and chose to pursue a legal career instead. Werner was an avid sailor who grew up racing and teaching on Manhasset Bay. He enjoyed racing sailboats, especially Star boats with the Iselin family; even racing Interclub (Frostbite) Dinghies in the dead of winter. He knew, when he was dating Julie (a true southern belle), that she was a keeper; especially when she was willing to crew for him in frigid weather. His love for sailing continued until the day he passed, and he maintained membership at the New York Yacht Club where he would always stop and visit when he was in NYC. He remembered the Club fondly, including that fateful evening in 1983 when he was filmed on Nightline with fellow members at the bar as the Club transported the America's Cup from the Trophy Room to the hands of the Australian victors. His love of the water was lifelong, and he enjoyed going on cruises and being in the water swimming laps. All his children followed his lead, spending time in both recreational and competitive sailing. Having driven an MG convertible throughout his Naval days, while he was General Counsel of Grumman Data Systems, he drove a red Chevy Malibu convertible. If the temperature was 33 degrees or higher, the heater worked, his custom-made blanket was snapped into place, and he had on his trusty Russian Ushanka hat, he would “open the roof” for his drive to work on Long Island. Werner’s convertible and of course, his good looks, could draw attention and he was well known in Manhasset, even by the police. Since Werner liked to maximize his time efficiency, he would use his rechargeable razor to shave while driving to work. Picture it: Freezing cold, it is snowing heavily, an officer in his police booth. Pulling up to the light in front of him is a convertible with the windows up, but the top down! A man in his Russian Ushanka hat, covered in a blanket, is shaving with an electric razor. The officer thinks, “An open convertible in this weather, the person driving it must have a problem or might be under the influence.” While the convertible is stopped at the light, the policeman walks out into the snow and to the car, leans over the closed window, and immediately recognizes the driver. “Mr. Pleus, are you okay? Is everything all right?” Werner, continuing his shave, looks at the officer and says, “I’m fine, I’m fine…...I’m just eccentric.” Spending time with the family was most important to him, so he encouraged the entire family to join in his cold-weather activities. They all took up skiing and enjoyed many years at Windham Mountain in the Catskills. A favorite family memory was the delicious aroma of the Silvercup Bread Factory flooding the car through the open windows during their after-dinner drives from Manhattan, across the 59th Street bridge, home, to Long Island. Always well read, retirement afforded him the opportunity to dive further into his various interests in history, art, science, and politics, continuing his eclectic mix of never-ending learning. Ranging from the Bible to Ray Kurzweil during his own Fantastic Voyage, he was always ready to share his new-found knowledge with others and had a knack for being able to communicate with anyone at any level. He always stressed the importance of learning and he encouraged all with his enthusiasm and passion for education. In Kennesaw, he was often found on the back deck enjoying the outdoors with his hand on the rosary, his head in his latest book, or his spirit engaged in a nuanced and sophisticated debate about the political topic du jour as he and Julie happily entertained old friends and new. He attended Mass at least once a week, and was always grateful for company, meals, health, and all his many blessings. Every meal was “delicious” and the “best meal ever,” which, as the years advanced, created a pretty darn high bar for his meals! When his traveling slowed down, Werner loved having his family visit Kennesaw and the family loved going on the pilgrimage to see him. In recent months, all of his grandchildren had visited and in spite of his synapses not firing as quickly as they used to, his grandchildren experienced his gracious manner, his delightful wit, his gentlemanly style and his magnetic and infectious smile. He felt blessed to have lived as long as he did and blessed that his family and friends were always close by. He was a man who had lived his life in full and was at peace. One cherished memory from a friend: He would greet you at the door, and when you said, “Werner, how are you?” he would say, “I am wonderful, but now I am even better because you are here.” Heaven is wonderful, but now it’s even better because Werner is there. Werner is survived by Julie Hamilton Pleus, his loving wife of 63 years, his son Albert Hamilton Pleus (Pamela Mitchell Pleus, and children Alexandra, Albert Mitchell and Allston), his daughter Marie-Margaret Hamilton Pleus (children Karl Alexander Hoppe, Kerry Hoppe), his son Fr. Adrian C.H. Pleus along with his cousins, Andrea Lyon, John Lyon, and Rose Masters and brothers-in-law Claude E. Hamilton III, and Michael Percy (Susan Snider). A Funeral Holy Mass will be celebrated at Noon on Monday, November 13th, at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Dallas, GA. A reception will follow in the Church Social Hall. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church in Dallas.

Albert Werner Pleus

July 31, 1930 - November 1, 2023