Eugene L. Gochnauer

GOCHNAUER, Eugene L.
(Age 100)

Of Lewiston, New York, died Thursday March 10, 2011 in Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, NY.

Born November 17, 1910 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to the late William and Ina (Hart) Gochnauer. At the age of five, he moved to Washington State where his family initially resided with his grandparents in Adams County. After graduating from Othello High School in 1929, he attended Washington State College (now Washington State University) in Pullman, Washington. He graduated in 1934 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

For a year after graduation, he worked as a land surveyor, repair mechanic, and as a construction electrician at Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation hired Mr. Gochnauer in 1939 and sent him back to Grand Coulee Dam where, this time, he was in charge of civil inspection on concrete structures and, later, electrical engineering at the hydroelectric plant. In June, 1959 he left the Bureau of Reclamation to work for the New York State Power Authority, playing a major role in the construction and energization of the Robert Moses Niagara Power Project. Just prior to energization of the plant, Mr. Gochnauer was appointed Superintendent of Power, and in 1972 he assumed the title of Resident Manager. He held that position until he retired from the New York State Power Authority July 1, 1979.

He was married to Annie Frances (Pessein) Gochnauer who died in 1985. He has a daughter, Lois A. Gochnauer of Lewiston, NY and a son, Myron Gochnauer (Anne Crocker) of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He was predeceased by two sisters, Helen Burns-Mael and Dorothy Atkins.

Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston on Saturday, March 12, from 10:00 am to 12:00 Noon. Services and interment will be private. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., WNY Chapter, 315 Alberta Dr., Amherst, NY 14226. Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online registry and complete obituary information.