Albert B. Alkek; Texas Oilman and Philanthropist

Albert B. Alkek, 85, the oilman and philanthropist who helped build Texas’ first petroleum products pipeline and whose $77 million helped expand the nation’s largest hospital complex. Alkek was working for Sinclair Oil Corp. when his boss, Harry Sinclair, helped Alkek form his own company in 1948, the Sinclair Alkek Co. The two men built the Casa pipeline, Texas’ first petroleum products pipeline. Alkek bought Sinclair’s interest in 1952 and the company became Alkek Oil Corp. In 1987, Forbes magazine estimated Alkek’s net worth at $310 million. He donated large amounts for scientific study, the arts and education. His name is on three medical facilities at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, where he died Wednesday.