Gene Purcell

10 julio, 1960 - 31 julio, 2021

Biografía


UPDATE! Hi Everyone, the video and audio program from Gene's Celebrations of Life are now on this site. Go to the "MEMENTOS" section and look for the little forward arrows (>) over the picture. There is the full video that includes the PBS Wisconsin tribute, my video and Connie Purcell's Wisconsin Life. The video from the musical performance in Madison is also in MEMENTOS. Thanks everyone! Ruth


MADISON - Gene Purcell, a much beloved man of many interests, talents and dimensions, died on July 31, 2021, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on July 27.


Gene was born July 10, 1960. He grew up in the La Crosse area and graduated from Cashton High School and UW-La Crosse.


Gene had a lifelong career in media, with more than 30 years in public broadcasting. At the time of his death, he was the director of Wisconsin Public Media, which includes Wisconsin Public Radio and PBS Wisconsin.


Gene was a reporter early in his career and was passionate about news and providing people with thorough, accurate and unbiased information. He had extremely high ethical standards that could not be compromised. He had recently been named board chair of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.


His professional achievements have been outlined in recent news stories, so we'll use this space to describe the whole of the man.


Gene was extraordinarily talented mechanically. He was the guy to call if you need your transmission replaced or your timing belt changed. He had so many tools, including a computer to read those mysterious codes that your car gives you. He loved all of it and always wanted to know what made things tick.


Gene was one of the most intelligent people you will ever meet. A voracious reader, he had a vast knowledge base and was definitely the person you wanted on your trivia team. His wife, Ruth, has a story about being at work one day when the question came up of who the band Jethro Tull was named for. Ruth had only to call Gene, who had the answer immediately. Jethro Tull invented the seed drill, in case you're wondering. Gene would tell you that the seed drill allowed farmers to plant seeds at regular intervals rather than scattering them from a sack. He hopes that information will be useful to you someday.


He loved many genres of music and has an extensive collection of vinyl and CDs. The Purcells also have a working 1960s jukebox that plays 45s that they would listen to while playing pool in the basement. He played the electric guitar. During COVID, he was teaching Ruth to play bass. Thursday night was the night to jam in the basement. One of the first songs they played together was their song, "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure. Gene was an avid curler and especially enjoyed the camaraderie that goes along with the sport.


Gene and Ruth have been together for 34 years, married for the last 25. Friendship, love, mutual respect and humor were the foundations of their relationship. The love between them was deep and continued to grow and evolve.


More than anything else, Gene loved his family. Gene and Ruth did not have children, but have a large furry cat named Gizmo (aka "Little G") who is already showing signs of missing Gene terribly.


Gene was devoted to his mother, Antoinette "Toni," and although he lived more than 100 miles away, he worked hard to keep everything at her farm working. Toni is the source of so many wonderful things about Gene. They are both rock steady, extraordinarily kind, fearless, patient, hardworking and selfless. They have both always put others needs ahead of their own.


These qualities are manifested by his final gift of organ donation, a fitting end for his mortal life. Gene lived by a strong moral code that emphasized service. To be able to give the physical parts of his body to help others is consistent with the way that he lived his life and what he thought was good and true and right about being a human being.


Ruth is extraordinarily grateful to friends who supported her throughout this crisis: Jennifer and Sean Michael Dargan, who were there from the very beginning; Mary Schattenberg and niece, Jessica Hawley, MD, for their presence, love, support, expertise and canoeing acumen; and friends, Linda Kietzer and Paula Alt for the love, their shoulders to cry on and all of that food. The family also wishes to thank everyone at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, particularly the team in ICU, and the people at UW Organ and Tissue Donation.


In addition to Ruth and Toni, Gene is survived by brother, Michael (Elaine) and their children, Jonathan, and Elizabeth Esker (Hayden); brother, Joe (Sheila); sister, Connie (Rob Claggett) and her children, Nicholas (Alex), Alain (Hannah) and Parker (Megan); and brother, David (Serra). He will also be missed by Ruth's family, brother, Steve Sturm (Mary) and their son, Steve (Kelly) and their children (Caitlin, Jacob, Adam, Matthew and Lily); sister, Sara Hawley (Keith Rodda) and her children, Nate (Krista) and their children, Tayah, Max and Sera Ann; daughter, Jessica Hawley (Daniel Stiepleman) and their children, Leo and Eleanor; son, Nicholas Hawley (Chris Werner); brother, Greg Sturm (Maxine) and their son, Jesse; and sister, Betsy Rath (Charlie) and their children, Jon (Mallory) and Alison (Alexis).


He was preceded in death by his father, John; and Ruth's parents, Leo and Betty Sturm.


Two celebrations of Gene's life are planned. In Madison, the gathering will be Sunday, Aug. 29, from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. in the GREAT HALL of the Memorial Union on the UW Campus. There will be a reception from 2 p.m.-4 p.m., with a program at 4 p.m., followed by a musical performance by some of Gene's closest friends. In La Crosse the gathering will be Saturday, Sept. 4, from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. at the PUMP HOUSE REGIONAL ARTS CENTER, with a program at 4 p.m.


To support public media in Gene's memory, gifts may be made to Wisconsin Public Radio or PBS Wisconsin. Send your gift to Wisconsin Public Radio, PO Box 88923, Milwaukee, WI, 53288-8923 or to PBS Wisconsin, PO Box 7929, Madison, WI 53707-7929. Gifts may also be made at wpr.org/donate or pbswisconsin.org/genepurcell. If you have questions please contact Donor Services at 800-422-9707.


Gene was also very supportive of Ruth's volunteer work with sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Memorial donations may be made to Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Road, Madison, WI 53718 or at giveshelter.org. Please mention "Wildlife Center" in your donation.


In closing, Gene's colleague, Joe Hardtke, said it best: "Like radio waves, Gene's influence is always in the air, you just have to stop, listen and appreciate all the good feelings and wisdom he broadcasts every day."


Additional obituaries:


https://pbswisconsin.org/article/wisconsin-public-media-remembers-director-gene-purcell/


https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/gene-purcell-public-broadcasting-leader-dies-following-motorcycle-crash/article_048c9e40-b947-516d-bc9a-23576e2d87e9.html


https://www.nbc15.com/2021/08/06/wpm-director-gene-purcell-dies-motorcycle-crash-medical-examiner-confirms/


https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-public-media-director-gene-purcell-dies-following-traffic-accident

Leer más 

Familia

Acerca de

Nombre Gene Purcell
Fecha de nacimiento 10 julio, 1960
Fecha de defunción 31 julio, 2021
Ciudad de origen La Crosse, WI, US 
Otra ciudad Madison, WI, US 
Donación en memoria del difunto Dane County Humane Society

Error

photo
Caracteres: 6000

Iniciar sesión en Keeper:

photo
Caracteres: 6000

Enviar como invitado:

Tributos



Marcar publicación

publicó un comentario .

Leer más 

Marcar publicación
J

Jeanne Engle published a tribute .

What can we say about Gene?

As my (Jeanne Engle's) wonderful Wisconsin Public Radio colleague, Gene was the BEST when it came to working with me on membership drives. From early morning to late at night he was there, writing talking points and scripts for the on-air staff, pitching on the air, doing whatever was necessary to make the drives successful, and, most of all, keeping me calm.

One particular time I recall when Gene, Jean Feraca, and I pitched on Jean’s show. We called ourselves the “gene (Jean) pool” and had such a good time on the air. I can’t remember how much we might have raised during those two hours, but I’m sure we reached our goal.

As a car enthusiast, Gene would pitch on Car Talk – the perfect person to do so. He actually knew what those guys were talking about when it came to cars and how they worked.

I know Gene was in charge of both public radio and television in his roles at ECB and Wisconsin Public Media, but I think his heart was always in radio – where pictures aren't needed to tell the story.

Gene was so smart and quick witted. Rick Vrzal (Jeanne'e partner) was especially pleased that Gene got it right away when Rick introduced himself, “The name is Rick and the ‘P’ is silent.”

We remember visiting Ruth and Gene in La Crosse when we were wandering around Wisconsin. That kitchen with the red was so cute. There was the Pearl Street Brewery where we met up for a beer. And the Pump House Arts Center. That may have been a Wisconsin Historical Society occasion and Gene was there. (I hope my memory on that isn’t too far off!)

We were delighted to be guests of Gene and Ruth in their Madison home. That massive record collection – what a room filled with thousands of albums. And the mid-century modern bathroom where the pink tub was embraced with gusto adorned by the perfect shower curtain that brought together all the colors of the room.

I was delighted when Ruth and Gene came to my holiday parties in Madison. Gene’s “race car” slippers were just the perfect footwear for the season. It was cool that one year both Gene, when he was head of ECB, and the Director of the Wisconsin Historical Society attended. Heads of two state agencies who weren’t part of any other state departments. Rather, heads of agencies who both reported to independent Boards of Directors.

We appreciated that Ruth and Gene came to Rick’s parties at his Richfield home, too. That probably was at a time when I no longer was with WPR so your being there meant even more.

I am sorry that we didn't see each other in July when we came from Florida for a month to visit family and friends in Wisconsin.

“Goodbye” hurts the most when the story is not finished, but a beautiful soul is never forgotten.

Leer más 

  

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
K

Kathy Landsinger published a tribute .

Gene and Ruth are the coolest couple I know. Quick wit, like Nick and Nora. We had some great times...from pontoons to parties to concerts...and we will have more with Ruth. I had so much fun at WLSU. I worked A LOT of mornings and it was great working the board for Gene. He only lost it twice that I recall...when my head did the falling asleep bob while he was reading the news...and when he was cold reading a library PSA about "Snuggy the Bookworm." Snuggy really caught him off guard. I miss my friend so much.

Leer más 

 1 


Marcar publicación
S

Sean Mcnamee publicó un comentario .

I can't even imagine Gene uttering the words Snuggy the Bookworm. So funny. Thanks for sharing.

Leer más 

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
N

Norman Gilliland published a tribute .

It’s wonderful that we can get together to celebrate Gene. But I for one, don’t want to skim over the grief that persists with his passing. I feel robbed. I feel that we’ve slipped into some surreal alternate universe. Maybe the first sign came when the Red Sox won the World Series and maybe it should’ve become obvious after a series of bizarre political occurrences. Whatever happened, one day Gene was there and the next we were told he was gone. And yet, I resist the news. I wouldn’t be surprised if, during one of my after-hours walks through the 7th floor of Vilas Hall, I’d see him come ambling out of his office. We’d fall into a conversation about cutting large quantities of firewood or the mysteries of the double clutch. He’s still that present to me.

There’s an irony for those of us who worked with Gene. We’re in the communications business and yet we’re so often bad at communicating. People who should be in the loop are left out of the loop. Memos are a hash of bureaucratic abstractions. And in some cases, we’re more likely to walk down the hall looking at our cellphones than of making eye contact with a colleague coming our way.

Not so with Gene. His loop was large and inclusive. And is this a first? I’m going to point to a memo as a work of art. Actually his whole series of Monday morning memos. Their language was simple, direct, and honest. They were concise yet funny in a uniquely modest Gene sort of way.

He was steeped in radio. Off and on over the course of 20 years, he was the foley operator, the sound effects maker for radio plays we put on. He took to the job with gusto. A couple of years ago when we were working on a play, I told him, “Gene, I need the sound of a nickel going into a jukebox” and he said, “Well, have I got a sound effect for you!” He had a jukebox. He had a lot of other cool stuff, too. I wish now that I’d asked for the clacking of billiard balls or the roar of a 65 Mustang.

The other part of being a foley operator is timing. If the sound effect is a second off, drama collapses into comedy. Gene was fast and precise, a lot of fun to work with and a lot of fun to watch working.

Timing rules our lives. For those of us in live broadcasting, it is obviously everything. But in a larger sense, timing determines if we will be born, who we’ll meet, marry, and beget, and when the end will come. It’s all too easy to slip into that game of what if. What if Gene had been 60 seconds earlier or later getting to that meeting on the Beltline. But that’s a game for one of the alternate universes.

So here we are, grieving and celebrating.

Each of us has our own reasons for grieving. For me, there are two parts to it. I’m grieving for Gene because of all the things he’ll miss out on. Sure, I sometimes think that he left us when the leaving was good. Covid’s running rampant in tandem with irrationality. The West is on fire. The poles are melting. As e.e. cummings said, “Listen, there’s a hell of a good universe next door; let’s go.”

Despite the bad stuff, though, the simple everyday pleasures remain. So I grieve that Gene won’t get to feel the wind in his face, hear the sound of rain, see one of Ruth’s wonderful smiles. Our only consolation is that, going forward, maybe we’ll appreciate those little things more. Maybe we’ll hug a little longer and a little tighter. There’s that double clutch again.

We’re grieving for ourselves, too. We’ve lost Gene. We can imagine what he’d do or say in any given situation. But it’s a creation of memory and imagination. We’ll miss the sheer look of him, the casual conversation. The last conversation I had with him, I think, was toward the end of July by the mailboxes. He and Ruth were going to join Amanda and me for a Concert on the Square—the Disco Inferno edition—and Gene was talking about wearing some of his genuine disco apparel. I think he even mentioned a chain. So what we miss is being able to look forward to time spent with him. Experiences shared. There’s a sonnet by William Wordsworth about being surprised by the joy of some sight and turning to share it with his young daughter before remembering that she had died. That’s where we are with Gene. Thinking we might get together for a walk in the fall and then realizing that it’ll never happen.

We could all share our stories about Gene and they still wouldn’t give a complete picture, of course. The aforementioned Wordsworth referred to “the best portion of a good man's life” being “his thousand little, nameless, unremembered, acts of kindness and of love.”

In that light, an example from my own experiences with Gene.

In February, our foursome went cross country skiing at Governor Nelson State Park. We did some exploring and found ourselves in the hilly, wooded western part. We were skiers of various abilities. Ruth took on the tight downhill turns without hesitation. I followed at a cautious distance, doing my best to stay vertical. Gene stayed back with Amanda, who was the least confident of us. Gravity got the better of me a few times but Gene and Amanda got through just fine.

He tended to the details. In May, the four of us walked around the Pheasant Branch Conservancy, up Frederick’s Hill for the vista and down to the big bubbling spring the Native Americans believed to be the gateway to underworld. Along the way, he told me about the motorcycle his father got in 1953, and how he was taking it apart down to the last bolt. Ruth told me later that he was polishing each bolt before reassembling the motorcycle.

And one last little detail, almost otherworldly. In July I mentioned to him that the card swipe on the door at the top of the 7th floor stairs was very finicky, that it took a lot of swipes to get that door open. For whatever reason, it now unlocks on the first try. It’s a mundane thing, but now, every time I climb the stairs and open the door to the 7th floor, I remember Gene.

For a thousand little reasons of your own, I know you will too.

Leer más 

 1 


Marcar publicación
S

Sean Mcnamee publicó un comentario .

That was a beautiful tribute. So well written. Thank you. I could actually hear Gene saying "Well, have I got a sound effect for you"...

Leer más 

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
E

Evey & Jim Fleming published a tribute .

We used to own a Mazda Miata convertible. One day, that little car just wouldn’t start. We hunted under the hood for the battery, assuming that was the likely culprit and further assuming that was the logical place to find the battery. Nope.
No battery under the hood? What? We had no clue except “Gene will know.”
Gene said, “Oh, you won’t find the battery under the hood because it’s in the trunk. Weird, but that’s where it is. And for Pete’s sake don’t attach a regular charger to it!”
Why??
“Well, because your car will explode. I’ll be right there.”
And he was. Gene appeared not long after that last word on the phone and brought the trickle charger the Miata battery needed. Whew! Another car’s life saved! That was Gene. He was not only encyclopedically knowledgeable, he was also unendingly helpful, kind, funny and willing to lend a hand. AND he had every possible tool, gizmo, whats-it or thingamabob that most any mechanical crisis required.
We miss this guy for many reasons not the least of which are our enduring friendship, Gene’s great love for his beautiful wife Ruth, his lightning quick sense of humor, his sense of fair play, his honesty, and his remarkably generous spirit. Words cannot really describe our sorrow at his loss.
Fly high, Gene Purcell, and land softly.
Evey and Jim Fleming

Leer más 

  

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
A

Audrey Penner published a tribute .

I have many great reminiscences of the Purcell family. John, Gene’s dad, was one of the first Wisconsinites I met before Wayne and I were married. He was our best man and Wayne’s best friend. Unfortunately, most of the John stories I know from those days I wouldn’t put in writing and I wouldn’t tail without at least two glasses of wine! But we always had fun! Wayne and I spent race days at John and Tonis Coon Valley farm.Gene was always at the grill with the brats. He was big brother of the family and kept an eye on everyone. He always had a $million smile and stories to tell. Dave spent lots of time in the barn with his drums and Connie was her mom’s main assistant keeping the brats boiling in the beer until Gene was ready for them., When Gene started working with Jim Conway at WLSU, the evening traditional jazz improved. Gene’s original job was very public and WLSU radio listeners were aware of what he was up to. Some of those weeklong fundraisers seemed to last about a month. But Gene was always a great salesman! When Gene and Ruth were married, it was evident that the match was made in heaven. They complemented each other in every way. The wedding reception was held at the Curling Club with guess what! Pizza and beer,
The last time we visited with Gene and Ruth on our patio in Scottsdale, we did happy hour reinforced with a whole bunch of beer. Our granddaughter was about eight and was into storytelling. We did a round robin story with six creative and very relaxed participants. “Once upon a time there was a guy…” when we got to Gene, it got interesting. “ and then he met an alligator“. Or “ His spaceship sputtered and it was time for creativity”. And I was the one who had to follow him!
The world is a smaller place without Gene, but I am so grateful for the Purcells and for the happy memories over the years. RIP and thank you.❤️

Leer más 

  

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
J

James And Sarah published a tribute .

Gene and his Mustang

Leer más 

  

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
S

Steve Johnston published a tribute .

Riot Fest, Chicago 2012 with Ruth & Mary. Ruth & Gene were ready for the rain!!

Leer más 

  

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
S

Steve Johnston published a tribute .

Sharing a cold beverage with my friend Gene in Lisbon 2012, day 1 of a 2-week Portugal family vacation. One of many travels we shared together with him & Ruth, my wife Mary & our kids Spencer & Hilary.

Leer más 

  

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
P

Phil Wilson published a tribute .

These thoughts about my friend Gene is sponsored by…sorry…underwritten by Cashton Boy Beer. You can take the boy out of Cashton, but you can’t take his beer.

I met my friend Gene nearly 40 years ago in 1983 in LaCrosse. It was my first of many moves to a radio station to do nights on WLXR FM…Hit 105. Gene was on the other side of the glass, drastically miscast as a Country DJ…and thankfully doing some news as well. He was the very first to really make me feel part of LaCrosse, inviting me for a beer and some rousing turns at Pole Position at Howie’s Hof Brau

(While we spent many a late night charging out of the station at midnight to take advantage of what was left of bar time, my most vivid memory is of us rounding the corner on to Third St for the very first. “Welcome to Nirvana.” Was his comment. We were young.)

While working and playing with Gene, I quickly found out what an incredibly smart, witty conversationalist and writer he was. How he took his work doing news seriously…even championing the then dying art of attending local school board and city council meetings…reporters’ notebook in hand. He was selfless, compassionate, respectful, and always, always hilarious.

When I left LaCrosse and moved to the next stop, and the next, and the next in the my radio migration, Gene always made a trip, by motorcycle, to see me. Everywhere from Omaha, to Des Moines, to Minneapolis...and oh…Rapid City. Only a real friend visits you in Rapid City. When he met Ruth, she joined him for those trip…thank goodness she missed Rapid City.


The love that Gene and Ruth shared was a joy to see. I can’t think of two people more comfortable and happy with each other. They loved each other…and this is a word Ruth used recently…fiercely. And in my word wonderfully. When I met my wife Lori we all became fast friends. How do I know…they both traveled to join us in our very first bonspiel in Minnesota. The Cashton Curlers didn’t fare well that weekend, but it was a true joy to spend time doing something that was one of Gene’s first loves and our new love.

For nearly 40 years I’ve watched, from a distance as Gene focused his seemingly endless energy on Public Broadcasting. I couldn’t be more proud of how my friend’s talents were recognized by more and more leaders in the public radio sector. Gene Purcell made public radio better, not only in Wisconsin, but across the country. I still am in awe of him as he lobbied for funding and sharing how vital public media is to our society. Convincing lawmakers who clearly didn’t agree, or frankly understand, to keep funds flowing. Truly an amazing man.

I’ve always been Pop, Rock and Blues. Gene, Alternative, Indie and Jazz, and though our broadcast paths took us in different directions and farther apart so that we saw each other in person once or twice a year, Gene was always my mentor, always my counselor, always my friend.

He was a Northstar. Though the Northstar is always there. You may not see it, or look for it, but when you need its guidance…you can look to it for direction. Gene was always there for me.

Now as we all try to figure out how to navigate the Gene-sized hole in our lives…a big ol’ hole I now find for me, I encourage you to be glad in the time that we had with him, thankful for the things he taught us...passion, kindness, knowledge, humble confidence, integrity, commitment, thoughtfulness, friendship, love. Pass it along. Broadcast it. He would have wanted you to. I miss you Gener.

Leer más 

  

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
G

Glen Slaats published a tribute .

Good afternoon, my name is Glen Slaats, and I’m the former Regional Manager for Wisconsin Public Radio in Green Bay. And I’ve had a long and close relationship with Gene Purcell.

In fact I was there on the day he was born…….Born into Broadcasting.

Gene always claimed I was the one who gave him his first tour of the WLSU facilities on the second floor of the old Wing Communications building, and the one who introduced him to the Mass Communications Department at UW-L. That was part of my job…..meeting and greeting new students who were interested in radio.

After the tour we probably sat down in my office and I gave him the standard speech I gave to all the kids coming through my office….which went something like this:

“Well kid, you’re interested in going into radio. Let me tell you a few things. You’ll get an excellent hands-on education here. You’ll get a chance to develop your skills working on WLSU and then if you’re good you’ll want to get out into the real world. You’ll jump at the chance to work part-time at a commercial radio station…..it will probably be at a small AM station in places like Black River Falls, or Boscobel or Richland Center…that plays either CW or polka music and you’ll be strictly on weekend sign-on shifts….playing some of the canned religious programming on Sunday mornings and then riding the board for Brewer or Packer games.

If you’re good you’ll get a chance to go full time, and you’ll land an evening shift or maybe overnights. Eventually you’ll work your way up to day times, and if you’re good then you can expect to move every two or three years…..going from Boscobel to Prairie Du Chien to Dubuque to La Crosse to Green Bay to Madison and then maybe even the big time in either Milwaukee or Chicago or the Twin Cities.

Then when you get there you have to remember there are thousands of guy doing the same thing….all trying to get your job.

You know kid……to be in this business, you have to be either completely crazy or really be in love with your job.

And most of us are a little of both.”

I think Gene learned that lesson well…..especially about the part – “IF YOU’RE GOOD.”

Gene and I mirrored our careers:
As students we both worked on WLSU and wrote columns for the Racquet;
we both are UW-L alumnus;
we both were in management positions at WLSU;
we both were responsible for transitioning our campus based, student operated radio stations into affiliation with Wisconsin Public Radio;
and we both were Regional Managers from Wisconsin Public Radio.

I’d like to think that Gene followed in my foot steps…….but his foot steps took him on a path that was far, far beyond my reach.
I’m now at the age where I’m beginning to look at the legacy I’m leaving. I look around this room and I see some of the people/kids I touched early in their careers…..and I see a couple of people who helped push me along my career path.

I’d like to think I had this much…..impact on Gene’s career and life.

There’s one thing I really regret…….I never took the opportunity to tell Gene how proud I was of him.

“I know this is too late….but Gene – I’m really proud of what you accomplished in your career….and in your life…..and in the legacy you leave Thank you for allowing me to be part of it….

Colleague….
friend…
fellow alumnus….
KID!

Leer más 

 1 


Marcar publicación
K

Kris Kodrich publicó un comentario .

Nice memory, Glen.

Leer más 

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000
Marcar publicación
M

Mary published a tribute .

This was Gene as 007 in London. What a ham

Leer más 

 1 


Marcar publicación
K

Kris Kodrich publicó un comentario .

I just wanted to share a few memories of Gene...
Gene was such a great guy. Genuinely nice. Never tried to be something he wasn’t. Gene was definitely well liked and loved by everyone who knew him....
So many great memories. I met him at UW-La Crosse, where we were mass communication majors and quickly became friends. His lawn parties were great. Gathering on a small grassy patch at his house on a busy street, we’d sit out there listening to Bruce Springsteen and drinking beer with a dozen or so people. His cat, Dude, always seemed annoyed by it all. People would beep their horns and sometimes stop by. Gene knew lots of people since he was from the area.
Later, we became roommates and had some great parties. Yes, even faculty would be there and we’d try to be on our best behavior, but that didn’t always work out. One time I remember Gene and I crashed loudly through a folding door and the department chair was right there, just looking at us.
We worked at WLSU Radio together. Once, we made a goofy radio drama featuring "Nick Danger" and Gene said he kept a recording of it all those years. Another time, I remember when he was hosting in the morning and I was giving the news, I sometimes tried to make small talk on the radio or get him to joke around but he was always the professional. One time, though, we got to laughing on the air, and I was tipping back in my seat and ended up falling backwards into a big box of empty soda cans that was behind me in the news booth. The crash made it on the air, and we kept thinking the station manager Jim Conway would say something to us later that day but thankfully, he never did.
The parties at Conway’s place on the Mississippi River were legendary and Gene and I wouldn’t miss them. One night after one of the parties, Gene was on his motorcycle and I was along for the ride, crossing the bridge over the Mississippi River coming over from La Crescent, Minn. A Minnesota trooper decided to stop us for some minor traffic infraction but by the time Gene pulled the bike over, we already were safely in Wisconsin so the officer could only give a warning. I also remember crossing that bridge with Gene on his motorcycle during mayfly season. At night, the slimy insects would cover the metal grated bridge, making for a slippery and treacherous crossing. But Gene carefully maneuvered over the grates and the squished insects and got us across safely.
Another memory came around Christmastime one year when we decided to go hunt for a Christmas tree on his family’s farm. I think it was way too big but we had fun trying to get it to La Crosse tied to his car roof.
We made some nice road trips, too. We would plan our trips to Summerfest every year and would mostly listen to the bands at the Miller Jazz Oasis most of the day. Since WLSU was a jazz radio station, we knew the music and we would wait for groups we wanted to see all day, meeting friends from the radio station throughout the day. We'd always stay at my mom's house, and assorted friends would show up at various times of the night, grabbing kitchen rugs to keep warm. My mom was always amused. We'd also always stop by my dad's tavern in Milwaukee, too. My dad always enjoyed seeing everyone from La Crosse.
One time we were in Milwaukee when I was telling Gene how the intersection he was driving through was the most dangerous one in Milwaukee. At that exact moment, a friend who was following us rear-ended his car. Another time, he helped me buy a Datsun car in a rough area of Milwaukee and I think he realized he was no longer in rural Wisconsin, when I took him into a seedy tavern to make the transaction.
One long road trip that was especially memorable was to New Orleans during a winter break. We made our way down the Mississippi River, arriving in New Orleans with snow still on the top of his rusted wagon). (And since we were passing Tennessee, we took a side trip to visit the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN, where somehow the Jack Daniels family invited Gene and me to stay for lunch even though we had slept in the car the night before. I still remember Miss Bobo had cooked up a great southern meal for us.) Once we were in New Orleans, we stopped at the first good bar we saw near the French Quarter and he somehow knew two people who were friends of his parents and they let us stay there that week. Another time, a few years later, we went to visit my friend Mike in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, and even though it rained a lot and was a bit cold that week, we had lots of great memories from that adventure as well.
We met a few times in recent years but unfortunately not enough. When he was still in La Crosse, we met Gene and Ruth in Trempealeau and had a nice meal together. More recently, we all met at the Plaza tavern in Madison. We always liked the Plaza, often visiting Madison to listen to music and we always started out at the Plaza, which hadn’t change much. I think I last saw him in Madison about three years ago but we had emailed each other several times the past year. Always had funny and insightful commentary on just about anything. He remained the same old Gene.
So many stories…
Gene, you will be missed.

Leer más 

photo
Caracteres: 6000
photo
Caracteres: 6000

Memorial Gathering in Madison

29 agosto, 2021 en 2:00pm
Great Hall of the Memorial Union on the UW Campus
Madison,
Detalles del evento

Memorial Gathering in La Crosse

4 septiembre, 2021 en 2:00pm
Pump House Regional Arts Center
La Crosse, WI
Detalles del evento

Keepers

Enviar un tributo