Name: Visitation for Eugene "Skip" Gast
Start: 2020-09-15T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-09-16T01:00:00.000Z
Location: The Runge Mortuary and Crematory

Eugene "Skip" Gast

April 23, 1946- September 8, 2020

DAVENPORT-Eugene "Skip" Gast, 74, of Davenport, Iowa, joined his soulmate, Peggy Jean, on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Runge Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at the mortuary. He will be laid to rest in Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Eugene Gast, to be dispersed by the family to music education programs. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.

Skip was born April 23, 1946 in Davenport, Iowa to Gene and Rosie Gast. His love of music started early and was expressed throughout his life with his trumpet. He studied music with many accomplished musicians and at Julliard. Skip served his country during the Vietnam War playing with the 5th Army Band. He played Taps at thousands of military funerals, including the funeral of President Harry S. Truman.

On July 10, 1971 he married Peggy Kuhlenbeck. They enjoyed 35 years of marriage until her passing in 2006.

In the late 1980's he opened Gene Gast Music in downtown Bettendorf, serving the entire Quad Cities area. Besides music, he enjoyed fishing, shooting pool, spending time with his family, and having a good cup of coffee with his friends. Skip will be remembered for his infectious smile and laugh. He always had a positive outlook and loved to hear and tell a good story.

Those left to cherish his memory include children, William (Marge) Gast and Melody (Wayne) Clifford; grandchildren: Elora, Cecilia, Caelan, Warren, and Moira; and great grandson, Oliver.

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

Published by Quad-City Times from Sep. 11 to Sep. 13, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Gast

Sponsored by The Runge Mortuary and Crematory.

5 Entries

Jody and Robert Benge

September 14, 2020

I knew Skip and Peggy from various functions and from church. We both graduated from High School in 1964, although he from West and I from Central. Then my husband, Bob Benge graduated with Peggy in 1965 from West. Skip was a very happy individual and extremely talented in music. We heard him play his trumpet on numerous occasions, always a joy to hear. Peggy too had an infectious laugh and if I remember right, she was a teacher at the same time that I was a Speech/Language Pathologist in the public schools. We are so sorry to hear of his untimely passing and that previously of Peggy as well. Please accept our sympathy and prayers.

Phyllis and Jerry Miller

September 11, 2020

We are so sorry to hear about Skip's passing. He will be missed by many. I have fond memories of Skip as he moved in to place with the Quad City Brass Quintet in '92 replacing the last founding member of the group. He always made folks around him feel happy and was a wonderful trumpet player. We enjoyed visiting him at his music shop as well. RIP Skip ♥

Charles Linder

September 11, 2020

Mr. Gast was my first band teacher at Westmer Schools (early 1980s). He was very influential in my continuing musical, and educational pursuits. Thank you, and God bless.

Barb Sarich

September 11, 2020

Cousin Skip, I will never forget our get togethers at HyVee and then coffee at Mel’s the last several years, even though I don’t drink coffee. I will never forget, and cannot Thank You enough for being there for my Mother when we couldn’t be there, there are no words, even with your health failing you managed to check on Mom, Thank You, Thank You, ThankYou. Over the past several years I got to see what a Great Dad you were and what a Great, thoughtful all around person you were, so glad you were in my life. Love You, Rest in Peace. Cousin Barb

Dean Beranek

September 10, 2020

When my family moved to Fillmore Lane in Davenport, Skip was the first of my peers that I met. We sat on the curb and talked while there was some kind of game going on in the street, that Skip was not allowed to participate in (moms rules). We lived across the street and 3 houses up. We went through Adams, Williams and West together. His Mom and Dad always welcomed me into the house, and were the ultimate characters. Skip was so busy with his music and traveling for lessons, I remember a weekly trip to Chicago for a lesson with Raphael Mendez, I think, we had limited time together but he will always be considered my first and best friend during our time together. I remember a trip to Sears was not complete until I stopped by to say hi to his dad. I wish you all the best of memories of him.

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