Eugene Leavens

1927 - 2017

Long time Anchorage, Alaska, resident Eugene Leavens, 90, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 25, 2017. A Celebration of Life Service will be held for him at 4725 East 112th Avenue in Anchorage on July 8, 2017, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., and a toast in his honor will be held at Pancho's Villa on July 7, 2017, at 4:30 p.m.
Eugene was born on April 21, 1927, in Roscoe, Calif., to Blanche and Frank Leavens. After graduating from high school and spending two years in the Army Air Corps, he drove to Alaska with friends to find work. He worked on the Alaska Railroad prior to attending University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
He moved to Anchorage and married Marjorie Platt in 1959, while working for the FAA constructing runways, and later moved to the Telecom industry. His work took him to remote Alaska villages via light aircraft, which provided him with some hair-raising experiences and great stories. He loved flying and was a light aircraft pilot himself in his younger days. Eugene retired from the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources in 1983.
Eugene loved Alaska, and traveled frequently to Las Vegas, Nev., and Puerto Rico. He had an abiding interest in real estate, holding seats on both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Platting Board, and bought and sold recreational and investment properties for the remainder of his life.
Eugene was a fiercely independent character and lived life on his own terms. He was a strong man with a soft heart who deeply loved his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughter, Alison Leavens; his son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Vickie Leavens; and four granddaughters, Kirstie McPherson, Tristina Hintz, Miranda Leavens and Michaela Riley.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; brothers, Richard and Frank; and sister, Shirley.