With deep regret I would like to inform FCCJ members of the demise of former General Manager Albert Stamp. Al passed away at his home peacefully on November 10.

Monzurul Huq
President FCCJ

Albert Stamp

Al, who was 73, was born and raised in upstate New York, which he left after high school to join the U.S. Army. That eventually brought him to Japan, which he fell in love with. After a brief stint at Sophia University he returned to the U.S. and graduated from Georgetown University. Later, he would earn a master's degree in hotel management
from Cornell University. Finding his way back to Japan, Al taught English at Japan Airlines and Saga University. Then he joined Kikkoman Corp. to help it get into the wine business. Before long he and Kikkoman opened two restaurants in Roppongi -- Mr. Stamp's Wine Garden and Mrs. Stamp's Wine Garden. Mrs. Stamp was a former student of his at JAL. Mr. Stamp's still exists but Al long ago sold his interest in that business.

By September 1988, while still working at Kikkoman, Al agreed to become part-time general manager of the Club. Eventually becoming a full-timer at the FCCJ, Al served the Club with distinction until April 1996, when he opted to retire at age 60. His wife died at an untimely age 59 about five years ago so Al had been living alone in a beautiful home in Hakone. He was found unconscious there on August 15 and taken to a hospital in Odawara, where he spent almost three months before returning home in early November. He passed away peacefully on Nov. 10.

Al is survived by his adorable dog Magnum.

Robert Neff