Remembering Albert “Ab” Owens, Hopkins Class of 1938

Albert Owens was a star basketball player who played for Hopkins and graduated from the school in 1938. Subsequently, he enlisted in the armed services. On October 16th, 1941 he was killed in a plane crash during a training exercise in Bakersfield (CA), where he was stationed. The October 23rd, 1941 issue of the Hopkins Journal reported that the school subsequently retired his number and put his old jersey, #55, on display at the school.

Subsequently, Owens’ achievements were forgotten and his jersey was thrown out, along with many other memorabilia from that era. 

On February 20th, 1985, the Hopkins Journal asked, “Does anybody still remember Ab Owens?” That drew a lot of responses, including the following letter from his coach, Vance Geiger:

Yes, somebody out there does remember Ab Owens. It was my pleasure to be his coach the four years he was in high school. No athlete gave of himself so much. He was a master of the game. Even though he was only 5’8”, he could outjump and outrebound any 6-footer. He knows the rules of the game backward and forward; he has read the rulebook many times. In spite of a trick knee that slipped out of place, he never missed a game.

After a defeat, he never left the dressing room until he and I had gone over the charts and discussed why and how we lost. He never blamed anybody but himself.

Perfection was what he sought, not only as an athlete, but as a student. He taught a Sunday School class. He truly was a gentleman.

After word was received of his death, I went to the locker room and retrieved his old #55 faded blue jersey, had it cleaned, wrapped in clean plastic, and placed it in the trophy case hopping it would serve as a symbol for future Hopkins athletes to see and admire. Frankly, I have been disappointed when I returned to Hopkins and found it had been removed.

I appreciate you looking at the old Hopkins Journal and asking the question, “Does anybody out there remember Ab Owens?” I will never forget him as long as I live.

Editor Jim Lohman opined at the time that it was like the Yankees bringing Babe Ruth’s number out of retirement.

Rest in peace, Ab. We have encountered plenty of North Nodaway athletes, on both the boys and girls side, who have shown the same dedication to the game you once did.