I first met Gene at a Thanksgiving gathering in 1999. He and Carol were gracious hosts, and warmly welcomed me into their home, and later into their family. To me, Gene was my version of Hemingway. He was a man's man who survived a tough childhood, the Great Depression, 22 days on a lifeboat at sea, a long military career, and a loving father and husband who raised five boys. A lot of life! He also posessed the heart and soul of an artist. He was a very fine painter, who loved talking about his passion for painting. I remember once asking him the proper way to sharpen knives. He happily taught me the skill, and shortly afterwards, gave me a sharpening stone with a beautiful wood base that he made. That act of kindness captured the man that Gene was. I will miss him, but will try my best to reflect his many acts of kindness, in my own life. His spirit will live on in his family and many friends. Watch over us, Gene! Mark