Gene, 76, died December 26, 2017, after a battle with cancer. He was born January 16, 1941, in Burley, Idaho.

He grew up in Boise, attended Boise State Junior College, and graduated from Idaho State University in 1964. Gene later earned his master's degree from the University of Idaho.

He joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1964 and was called to active duty in 1968 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Gene began a 31-year teaching career in 1966 working in the Orofino school system as a teacher, coach and principal.

Gene jumped at Idaho City 1961-66 and Fairbanks 1967-68 and 1970-73.
He made 134 jumps in his smokejumping career.

In 1973, while spotting a load of jumpers in Alaska, his spotter's chute deployed inside the aircraft pulling him through the door. Severely injured, Gene's recovery took months of hospitalization and rehabilitation.