Eugene C. Neubauer

Another veteran of World War II has gone to join his departed comrades.

Gene Neubauer died at home in King City, Oregon on July 6, 2019. He was born in Tuttle, North Dakota on September 25, 1923 to Theresa and Emil Neubauer.

His Father and Mother were of German descent, and for him German was a second language.

Gene grew up during the Great Depression, his school years matching the years of that dismal period, 1929-1941. He graduated from high school as valedictorian of his class, and due to the impending draft, and his family's moving to Portland, he deferred entering college until the war ended.

Upon completing his basic training, he was sent to Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, and then assigned to the 28th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, with whom he would enter a combat zone. Though his squadron participated in the Battle of Okinawa and the air offensive against Japan, Gene seldom spoke of his war experiences. But his memoirs describe his impressions of the great cost and horror of war. Quoting form that document: "When we landed on Okinawa, our bivouac was next to an empty field. Several weeks later it was a cemetery, filled with more than a thousand Crosses and Stars of David. We were a photo reconnaissance squadron and our last two missions were to get photos of the destruction the atom bombs had caused to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The combined death toll of the two bombs was estimated at over a quarter million. All caused in a matter of seconds!".

Gene also lauded the courage of the squadron's pilots, pointing out, "They flew into battle without guns, and often they were the first of our forces to make contact with the enemy. Some never returned."

After the war Gene enrolled in Lewis & Clark College, graduating with a B.A. in psychology. Later he earned a Master's degree in Education from the U of O.

He began his 35-year career in the field of Education at Arlington, Oregon as an elementary teacher, moving on to Principal the next year. Then on to a Supt.-Principalship at Yamhill, Oregon, before entering the Portland School system.

In Portland he taught at both the elementary and secondary level, and served three years as a consultant to the District's program for Talented and Gifted and as a vice principal at Wilson High School.

In 1969 Gene became Curriculum Director for the Lincoln County School District, where he moved on to Deputy Superintendent and then as the Superintendent. The school board chair labeled Gene as, "a good problem solver...and extremely intelligent," In describing Gene's special qualities she said, "Someone once described him to me as champagne rather than ginger ale."

He closed his career in Education as Deputy Superintendent of the Clackamas Education District in 1984.

Gene is survived by his wife, Joyce (Hazel), son Doug Neubauer of Portland, daughter Linda Neubauer of Lake Oswego, stepdaughter Betsy Miller of Medford, two beloved grandchildren and their spouses, Souvanny Miller and Nicholas Sanchez of Ashland and Jackson and Hayley Daves Miller of Eagle Point. Also survived by brother and sisters-in-law Dick and Cheryl Hazel of Portland, Dave and Lynne Hazel of Yakima and Kathy Hazel of Spokane, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Clarence Neubauer and his wife Vernie, sister Isabelle and her husband Don Emberlin and stepson James Shaun Williamson.