EUGENE CONRAD ALDRICH

Aldrich, Eugene Conrad, born on June 28, 1917 in Cherokee, Iowa, died at home of natural causes on April 21, 2012 in Kelseyville, California, surrounded by family, friends and loved ones. Devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Survived by his widow, Veronica Robinette Aldrich of Kelseyville, CA, and his seven children, Jo Ann Aldrich of Virginia City, NV, Janet Ackerman of Coeur d'Alene, ID, Mark Aldrich of Aliso Viejo, CA, Thomas Hale of Yazoo City, MS, Michael Hale of Holly Bluff, MS, Debra Lowell and Theresa Aldrich of Kelseyville, CA, and their families. Retired from banking after a career of over 50 years, including Bank of America, U.S. National Bank of San Diego, and as President of the Bank of Irvine. Decorated veteran of World War II (1941-46) and the Korean War (1950-53), and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal (highest award for non-combat bravery) in 1945 for attempting to rescue American and Japanese diplomats from a plane crash just off of the island of Okinawa, where they were traveling to negotiate terms of peace just after the end of the war. Gene also served as the U.S. Commandant of the Swedish Red Cross Hospital in Pusan, Korea during the Korean War. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, which included his sister, Edith Slife of Hawarden, Iowa, and his five brothers, Joseph, Anthony, Glenn, Robert and Edward. Gene and his brothers all served in the armed services in World War II and all returned home safely after their service to our country. Gene's family lived in Hawarden, Iowa for many years, and he graduated from Hawarden High School in 1934. To find work, he hitchhiked to Southern California in 1935 where he began his career in banking and made his home for most of his life, primarily in Whittier, Newport Beach and Mission Viejo. He attended Los Angeles City College and graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking School. Gene married Jeannette Keith, whose family was from Hawarden, Iowa on October 22, 1939, with whom he had three children, Jo Ann, Janet and Mark. Jeannette died on April 21, 1963. On October 21, 1964, he married Veronica Robinette Hale, who had three children from her previous marriage, Thomas, Michael and Debra. Gene and Vonnie had one child together, Theresa, in 1965. A terrific storyteller who repeated his stories often to the delight of his family, he regaled his family with his stories of early life in Iowa during the depression, his travels to California, his military service and his life in banking. Gene was raised Catholic and had strong faith his entire life. He was a devoted father and set an example as a principled and ethical person. Gene was very generous and helped all of his children in many ways to the best of his ability. This good man will be sorely missed, but his life serves as an inspiration to all of his surviving family and friends. Services will be in Mission Viejo, Orange County, CA on April 28, 2012 at St. Killian's Catholic Church, 26872 Estanciero Drive, Mission Viejo, CA 92691; Rosary will be at 12:00 noon and the funeral mass held at 12:30 p.m. Reception immediately following at the Laguna Hills Community Center, Heritage Room A, 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. His remains will be interred with military honors at Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden, Iowa, in the near future.