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Delbert Alberti dies at 68
Former Lodi Unified School District superintendent remembered for great memory and enthusiasm
Special to the News-Sentinel
Delbert Alberti, a former Lodi Unified superintendent from 1995 to 2000, died Saturday. He was 68.

Alberti is remembered for having an astounding memory and being a mentor to many administrators and teachers throughout the district.
"He had a gift for remembering everyone's name," said Catherine Pennington, Lodi Unified School District's assistant superintendent of elementary education. "He was so full of energy, sometimes it was hard to keep up with him."
Before his death from cancer, Alberti received a special award from California State University, Sacramento for being "one of the state's most outstanding superintendents."
He was instrumental in establishing educational partnerships that focused on the improvement of learning opportunities for all students.
Gloria Evosevich, a principal coach for the San Joaquin County Office of Education who was Alberti's executive assistant when he was at Lodi Unified, said he was instrumental in developing distance learning. The program allowed Lodi Unified teachers to earn their master's degrees from CSUS while attending courses in Lodi after work hours.
Evosevich also remembered Alberti's "open office" meetings.
Alberti would make announcements stating what school he would be at once a month. Then, students, teachers and parents could come to that location and stand outside the office, waiting to speak with Alberti one on one.
After the meetings with individuals, Alberti would return to his office and try to solve the issues brought to his attention.
He authored or co-authored more than 20 books relating to science and math education.
In addition, he was named Outstanding Young Educator of the United States by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1968. He served as a college instructor and as a consultant in science, math and gifted education throughout the United States and Canada.
— News-Sentinel staff
"He would be there to listen to any problem, recommendation or concern, and then he would come back the next day and he would try to resolve the problem," Evosevich said.
Interim Lodi Unified Superintendent Len Casenega worked with Alberti during Casenega's first four years with the district. He remembers Alberti being very welcoming and inviting to every employee in the district.
"He made you feel as if you had known him for a long time," Casenega said.
He added that Alberti was responsible for bringing more diversity to the district staff and was known for his "contagious enthusiasm."
However, for his former secretary, Carolyn Viel, it was Alberti's modesty that made him a special man.
"We had him in our home for lunch," Viel remembered. "He was not uppity ... he socialized with me, the lowly secretary. (We) will definitely miss him."

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