Eugene Grant "Gene" Pack II

1932 - 2019

BORN

1932

DIED

2019

About

University of Utah

Eugene Pack Obituary

Eugene "Gene"
Grant Pack II
1932 ~ 2019
Eugene "Gene" Grant Pack II, 86, classical music radio host and actor, passed from this life March 3, 2019, at Salt Lake City Utah. He was born July 29, 1932, at Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the son of Eugene Grant Pack I and Lucile Clara (Payne) Pack, who preceded him in death. He is survived by a brother, Dennis (Carol) Pack, of Winona, Minnesota, two nephews, two grand-nieces, a grand-nephew and several cousins.
Radio and the theatre were his passions. He joined the radio club in high school, and starred in a play at Kingsbury Hall at the age of 12.
Gene received a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Utah. He worked at KUER, the University of Utah's public radio station, from before it went on the air in1960 until his retirement in 2002. He had many titles and responsibilities, but is best-known as the producer and host of music and fine arts programming. Recognitions he received include the Honors in the Arts Award from the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce in 1983 for significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the State of Utah, the Madeleine Award from the Cathedral of the Madeleine in 1990 for distinguished service to the arts and humanities, Utah State Governor's Award for Arts Education in 1990, and election to the Utah Broadcast Hall of Fame in 2005.
Gene had major roles in scores of plays in many venues, including Theater 138, the Pioneer Memorial Theatre, Kingsbury Hall, the Salt Lake Acting Company, Grand Theater, Theater Works West, the Lagoon Opera House, and Park City melodrama. He appeared as a narrator with the Utah Symphony Orchestra and with the Zivio Ethnic Arts Ensemble. He also appeared in several theatrical films and in commercials.
Gene enjoyed the company of good friends, and he had many of them. His kindness, wit, and wisdom will be sorely missed.
In keeping with Gene's preference, a funeral will not be held, but a memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Deseret News on Mar. 6, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Pack

8 Entries

Alice Corning

March 18, 2019

I knew Gene through the Moab Music Festival. He was a gracious and intelligent presence there for many years. His voice will be missed.

March 15, 2019

Gene was a great supporter, a true friend, a distinguished colleague and a marvellous man to be with. He also knew an extraordinary amount about the arts in general, and music in particular - and all kinds of music at that. He knew all the old songs, musicals, operas, symphonies and much more besides, and you sing a musical-hall song with enthusiasm and authority. I shall always remember him with the greatest possible affection.

Leslie Howard

March 12, 2019

I remember Gene well at KUER. He was always very supportive and offered me a radio refuge from the pressures of college classwork in the 1960s. Wonderful knowledge of classical works. May he rest in peace. J. Lind /Meersburg, Germany.

March 10, 2019

Listening to Gene Pack's classical music show on KUER was a delightful experience, even for an old country bumpkin like me, with no musical training. He taught me a lot about the music and the composers in a short period of time.

Spencer Kinard

March 8, 2019

I loved Gene's work in radio and theater. He and Rex Campbell were the first two people I met when I wandered into KUER in the basement of Kingsbury Hall in 1963. They became two of my mentors as I began a career in broadcasting. I cherish those days and am grateful for Gene's friendship over the years and am proud to say I knew and associated with the talented Gene Pack. Rest in peace my friend.
Spence Kinard
P.S. Please let me know when a celebration of his life will be held.

Melanie Williamson

March 7, 2019

Such an incredible man, forever in my mind as Benjamin in Benjimen's Bottle the children's play my mom Barbara Danielson wrote, performed at PMT. in th 70s. That and every character in every performance at Theatre 138 where I grew up with the thespians including Gene. I know he and those wonderful people, including Barbara, are having a grand cast party for the greatest show called life.

Adela Sussman

March 6, 2019

I have known Gene for many years since my days in the University of Utah's theater program; and of course I was a fan of his morning classical music program. In later years he often took me to lunch at which time we would discuss music and theater and his cat, Rhiannon! We had a dear friend in common - Suzanne Scanland Carney, whom he would stay with when he visited NYC where he would see as many plays as time allowed. Gene was happiest when he was in a play! I'm grateful to have known Gene and for his kindness to me. Rest in peace, Gene!

Doug Murri

March 6, 2019

RIP dear Gene. Gene was a friend for many years while I lived in Utah. One of the most enjoyable times of my life was playing one of his sons in 'Two By Two' at Theatre 138. Such a pro. And such a joy to work with. I learned a lot about professionalism by just observing him at work on the stage.

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