Eugene Beydler Shull Sr.

Eugene B. Shull Sr. PORTSMOUTH - Eugene Beydler Shull Sr. passed away June 19, 2010 at his home in Portsmouth of natural causes. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather who was truly loved and will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Hope; daughters and sons, Faye Jenkins, Sandra McPherson, Debra Welch, Robin Salugao, Gene Shull Jr. and Neil Shull; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister and brother, Bernice Sykes and Thomas Shull. He began his career as an apprentice boat builder for Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1955, transferred to Shop 67 where he graduated from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Apprentice program in 1960 as a fire control mechanic, leading his graduating class in all honors and awards. In 1962, he accepted teaching positions at GE, EC Glass and York High School as an instructor in technical and trade schools. He returned to NNSY in 1966 as an electronics technician where he advanced to the position of GS-12 in Code 190, Combat Systems. Selected by the NNSY commander in July 1975 as acting project manager to establish and manage NNSY's Tiger Team Project Office for the forward site modifications on fleet ballistic submarines. He was promoted to a GS-13 Supervisory Engineering Technician in 1976 as head of the Tiger Team. In 1979 he was awarded the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award in recognition of exceptional managerial and technical contributions to the Navy for his leadership of the Tiger Team. This is the second highest honor that can be awarded to a civilian. From 1979 to 1980, Gene was temporarily assigned as head of the Shipyard Productivity Team where he was promoted as Shop 51 Electrical Superintendent. In 1983 Gene was promoted as Code 950 Electrical and Electronic Group Superintendent, GS-15. He was president of the NNSY Superintendents Association and the National Superintendents Association for multiple years. Gene was continually recognized for his achievements and awarded for his outstanding leadership and performance in the Naval Industrial Community by Navy and Civilian Organizations. Gene retired from NNSY in 1989 and accepted a position with Coopers and Lybrand where he continued to support the Naval Shipyards until his retirement in 1994. He was an avid bass fisherman and his latest passion was Texas Hold'em Poker and he quickly became proficient and respected as a player, training with such pros as Annie Duke, Chris Farha, Joe Navarro and others via the WSOP academy. Also, he was a relentless advocate of the charitable poker games and did all he could to help in organization and distribution of charitable funds to such charities as the Noble Women, Victory Lanes Booster, Salvation Army and Pet Guardian along with numerous local charities. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 24, from 2 to 8 p.m. at 4913 Manor Ave., Portsmouth, VA 23703. The family will have a private interment service. Snellings Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Gene's name to his favorite charities: Salvation Army, 2306 Airline Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23701 and Noble Women of Portsmouth, P.O. Box 57010, Virginia Beach, VA 23457.