Albert "Ab" Zander, Jr.

Albert “Al / Ab” William Zander, Jr., age 79, of Dothan, Alabama, departed this life on November 6, 2026.

Ab was born in Illinois in 1946 to Albert William Zander, Sr. and (Mary) Rebecca Lee (Foster) Zander. He attended elementary school in Illinois and high school in North Carolina before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Ab proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, completing two tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired from active military service in 1970 with the rank of Sergeant. Serving his country was something he considered a great honor, and he carried that pride with him throughout his life. Semper Fi.

In 1972, Ab married Bonnie Tutterow, beginning a partnership that spanned 52 years. Together, they built a life and raised their family. He is survived by his two daughters, Carrie (Larry) Vause of Richland, Missouri, and Lara Zander of Dothan, Alabama; a sister; two nieces and a nephew residing in North Carolina and New Zealand; seven grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends who will cherish his memory.

In 1988, he moved his family to Dothan, where he began a career with Globe Motors (Allient, Inc.) that would last more than 27 years. During his time there, he held responsibilities in Quality Engineering and served as the Quality Systems Management Representative. His work helped establish, maintain, and improve quality management systems at Globe Motors facilities in Dothan, Alabama; Dayton, Ohio; and Reynosa, Mexico.

Outside of work, Ab enjoyed the simple pleasures that made life special. He loved driving his Miatas and was an avid gardener who took pride in growing citrus trees, blueberries, and heirloom vegetables, often sharing the fruits of his labor with others. He also had a wonderful sense of humor, enjoyed making people laugh, and never wanted to take himself too seriously—an effort he admitted was only marginally successful.

Throughout his life, Ab gathered a number of lessons, many learned through his own mistakes and experiences. He believed in not taking yourself too seriously, recognizing that every mistake brings an opportunity to learn, finding ways to help others, and never stopping the process of discovering new things about yourself or expanding your interests. Above all, he believed family should always come first and that those you love should be cared for and cherished.

Later in life, he became affectionately known as "Dajo" to family members and close friends. Above all else, he was a loving husband, a devoted father, and a dedicated family man who treasured those closest to him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bonnie, and his grandson, Dominic Zander Coppage.