Gene's courageous eleven month battle with metastatic melanoma came to an end on January 31 when he passed away at Hospice of Cincinnati. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Becky, daughter Angela, son Aaron (Tricia), and two cherished granddaughters Sophia and Olivia. Gene moved to the Cincinnati area in 1969 after graduating from Ball State University and spent the next sixteen years teaching and coaching in the Ross, Kings, and Loveland school districts. In 1982, he was named area football coach of the year by the Western Star newspaper. Until his retirement in 2012, Gene worked with his friends in the business world. Gene was an avid reader who also enjoyed traveling, antiquing, and cooking, but his favorite leisure activity was spending time with friends on the golf course. He felt most fortunate to have attended the 2006 Ryder Cup in Dublin, Ireland where he actually spoke with former President Bush. As an organ donor with cancer, Gene was limited to donating his corneas only. A private graveside service was held on February 5 at Evergreen Cemetery. A memorial service celebrating Gene's life will be held at 11:00 on his birthday, February 23, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Loveland. Visitation will begin at 10:00. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Melanoma Know More. Funeral Home: Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Loveland 129 Riverside Drive Loveland, OH US 45140