Albert H. Jesse, of Neenah, died Tuesday, March 24, 2015 in Neenah surrounded by family and friends. He was 81 years old. He was born on March 25, 1933 in Antigo, a son of the late Albert and Emma (Keppler) Jesse. He married Janice Schroeder on August 16, 1958. She survives.

He graduated from Antigo High School in 1951; he continued his education at the University of Wisconsin Madison where he earned his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Mr. Jesse served in the US Army 63rd Signal Company (EW 1), Signal Corps Electronic Warfare Center.
Mr. Jesse was a Professional Engineer, Innovator and Entrepreneur who began his career as a Mechanical Engineer at American Can Company in Green Bay in 1960, transferred to Neenah-Menasha operations in 1964 where he held various engineering positions until he eventually retired from then named American National Can in 1990. In January 1986 Mr. Jesse founded General Fuels Corporation where he invented and patented a manufacturing process for making a clean energy coal substitute, a pelletized fuel for use in the electricity and steam generation process. His technology, subsequent successful commercialization and continuing wide spread use of this technology is responsible for the reduction of more than 1 million tons of non-recyclable waste from landfills with enormous economic and environmental benefits. To date the coal displacement use has reduced hazardous ash waste and mercury emissions; reduction of tens-of-thousands of tons of acid rain producing sulfur-dioxide emissions; and accounts for millions of tons of greenhouse gas carbon cycle emission credits.

Al enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, traveling and spending time with his family and grandchildren. Although the majority of his travel miles were by plane, Al most enjoyed traveling by train. And his favorite destination for fishing was the Evergreen River near his home town of Antigo.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Janice: four daughters, Sandra Jesse of Peoria, AZ, Lynne (Jeff) Ciske of Neenah, Janine (Jeff) Johnson of Cedarburg and Lori (David) Sorcic of Oshkosh; two sons, Lee (Corrie) Jesse and Tom Jesse both of Neenah; grandchildren, Morgan and Matthew Johnson, Jesse and Zuzu Sorcic, Drake and Caitlin Jesse; two sisters, Kathryn (Peter) Neidl of Diamond Head, MS and Lois (Norbert) Bressler of Foley, AL; and a brother, Robert (Edith) Jesse of La Jolla, CA.

A funeral service will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home with Reverend Marvin Kindle officiating. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery where Antigo veterans will conduct military honors. Visitation will be Monday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.