Zatkoff, Albert M. Age 59, of Minneapolis, died peacefully on Aug- ust 16, 2014. Alby Zatkoff lived an extraordinary life. It was not possible to meet Alby and not feel immediately drawn to him. With his warm smile and exuberance for life, Alby amassed friends from around the world. His curiosity and wanderlust led him to explore many places. Alby especially loved Australia and Greece, where he spent a college year abroad. He escaped MN winters in Hawaii and Palm Springs, CA. And he recently visited family in Grand Haven, MI and Ogden Dunes, IN where he was raised. Alby faithfully documented his adventures through artful photo- graphs and travel journals. He was a writer, reader, collector and historian. His collections included pottery, postcards, and airline memorabilia. The archives of his alma mater, Albion College are richer from his donations he amassed. He graduated from Albion in 1976 with a degree in Visual Arts and was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Alby also had a strong spiritual and contemplative side. He was a member of Soka Gakkai International (SGI-USA), a Buddhist organization, for 30 years. Alby was also known for being a big walker around the city's lakes, snapping images along the way. For years he posted daily on his blog photoeachday.com and a year ago converted it to document his journey to defeat cancer. Alby faced this difficulty with strength, positivity and Buddhist wisdom. Alby was a skilled copywriter who took his craft seriously. He made impressions on co-workers with many remembering Alby as the one who welcomed them on their first day. His career spanned 35 years, starting in Chicago at Montgomery Ward, then in Minneapolis at Dayton Hudson Corporation, and finally at Best Buy where he wrote for Best Buy's website. He had a magnetic personality and playful whimsy. He placed valentines on co-workers' desks, sang along to Hawaiian music, and impersonated a turkey every Thanksgiving for his nieces. Alby spent the past 22 years with Chris White, his husband and best friend. They were married on a beautiful day last September surprising friends who showed up thinking they were there to toast Alby's last round of chemo. Anyone in their presence could feel their joy and gratitude for life. During Alby's battle with cancer, Chris was an indefatigable and loving caregiver. Alby is survived by his sister Amy Miller (Scott) and nieces Lauren and Amanda. He was preceded in death by his parents Sam and Marjorie, and his brother Robert. The family would like to thank his amazing team of doctors, nurses and staff at the Humphrey Cancer Center and North Memorial Hospital. A Minneapolis celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.