Carl Eugene "Gene" Saunders Jr.

Saunders was the best teacher that rockingham county school could have. He help me through everything that i needed help with. Now that hes gone i days at school are boaring. He was the best.

in loving memory
GENE SAUNDERS

we all still love u

Mr. Saunders was one of the best teachers at Rockingham County High you would ever meet. No0t only did he help me understand his class, he helped me through some very hard times. I loved his class more than anything at Rockingham, He always treated everyone with respect, even if they didnt deserve it. He told me once when I asked him why he was so nice to everyone, he told me "I feel you have to meet your students half way". I thought of him as one of my best friends and I know I speak for alot of people, including myself and my little sister Haley Gauldin, that Mr. Gene Saunders was and always will be, the best man you could ever meet. R.I.P. Saunders we will never forget you!

I remember Gene fondly from way back in high school. We were planning to get together when he came to visit here in Washington, DC, but now I am saddened to note that it will never happen.

I'm so sorry to just finding out that Gene past on. We went to school together in East Moline. He was a really great person. We Emailed all the time. He will be missed at our 50th Reunion at UTHS. He was funny and will be missed by all.
My Sympathy goes out you his family and friends.

Gene was a nice and caring teacher/friend. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Even though drama and dance were such a big part of my life in high school, I didn't end up pursuing a career in those areas. There is absolutely no doubt, however, that the skills we learned from Mr. Saunders about getting on a stage and playing a part have helped us all become more confident, more disciplined, and better prepared for any career. Mr. Saunders is one of those teachers who taught EVERYONE something.

mr. saunders was a unique person, he was the best friend u could ever have. i first met him in 01 when i was a freshman and he was loyal and helpful to me all four yrs.

Mr. Saunders is and will always remain my teacher and my friend. He tired endlessly to bring others entertainment, happiness, and well-being. Perhaps I have never known a more diligent, selfless person. He will be greatly missed and always remembered.

Mr. Saunders was my drama teacher for four years at RCHS. He suggested I look into law as a way to use my drama talent in a future career. Today I have a Political Science degree with a pre-law concentration, and I'm applying for law school in the fall. Thank you for everything, Mr. Saunders! You will be missed.

Gene was like a surrogate father to me. He is the single greatest influence on my career and life that there has ever been. I'll miss him, miss the security of knowing that there was someone in my corner always. I'm sure that there are others who have followed their dreams because of him, and I hope that his work and spirit can continue to inspire future generations of theatre lovers.

Gene was an excellent teacher and will be greatly missed by everyone.

Mr. Saunders was a kind man with a wonderful heart for his students and his love of production. My love and prayers to his family and many friends.

My son, Jordan was in his first play of Peter Pan when he was 8. Gene Saunders played a perfect HOOK.
Since then Gene worked many plays with Jordan and then taught him four years at Rockingham High School. Gene was fun, full of laughter, lots of imagination and let the students learn how to become a better person. He inspired my son to continue his focus in acting. He will be missed so much by so many people but all the people he help find their positive outlooks will never never be forgotten

ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T PERSONALLY KNOW MR.SAUNDERS. AS I READ ALL THE ENTRIES IN HIS GUEST BOOK, I KNOW HE WAS A UNIQUE AND TRUELY SPECIAL PERSON. FOR AS MANY LIVES AS HE TOUCHED & THE MARK HE MADE ON EACH INDIVIDUAL, IS ASTONISHING!
HE TOUCHED MY DAUGHTER KATIE'S LIFE WHEN SHE WAS IN HIS DRAMA CLASS AND IN THE PRODUCTION OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. WE SAW A SIDE OF OUR DAUGHTER THAT ONLY MR.SAUNDERS COULD HAVE BROUGHT OUT. THANK YOU MR. SAUNDERS.
'LIFE AIN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL RIDE....'

Mr. Saunders was a special guy there have been thousands of Students from RCSH that have benefitted from knowing and working with him on many productions. There wasn't a production that has been put on at the Rock in the past 20 years that Mr. Saunders didn't effect in one way or another and his inspiration will Live Long after his final breaths.

Our community has lost a very dear member with the passing of Gene Saunders. He was a wonderful friend and colleague to my mom and a devoted teacher and inspiration for me, my younger brother and many of our friends. I will miss hearing his infectious laugh in the back of the RCHS theater and enjoying his productions, whether he directed or acted. He was truly a wonderful individual and we will miss him very much.

Mr. Saunders was an outstanding man. I'm so glad I had opporutnites to work with him and learn from him and his "quarky" ways. I always looked forward to going to his classes or staying after school to prepare for a preformance.
He was a good guy, and a great friend. He will be missed.

Mr. Saunders was my drama teacher for 2 years at Rockingham. Not only was he my favorite teacher but just a wonderful guy all around! He helped me overcome so many obistacles and for that I will never forget him! The community has lost a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed by many.

Gene was one of those people that once you've met, you know you're going to carry the memory of him with you for the rest of your life. I first met him in the summer of 1988, when I took his drama elective during a summer enrichment program. A few months later I had Gene as my drama teacher in high school. In all the years since then, and even after he told me that he was sick, I never saw him as anything but animated and laughing and always smiling. And always eager to share his love of the stage with others so that, as some have noted, they could get their chance in the spotlight. A talented guy who was larger than life but never let that surpass his enormous measure of humility. Take care Gene, and thanks for sharing your passion and talents with us. Whether you knew it or not, you changed a lot of people's lives for the better, including mine.

My daughter was in drama with Mr. saunders at RCSHS. She was in the Beauty and the Beast production. He was a wonderful teacher! He was one of the best and all the students loved him. He will be greatly missed!

Gene was an excellent drama teacher and a good friend. You cannot replace a Gene Saunders.

I learned so much from Gene, and always thoroughly enjoyed working with him. Whether alongside him during the tedium of blocking, set building or striking, on the boards in shows he directed, or enjoying his own performances while viewed from "the pit," he was unfailingly good humored and generous with his time.

Moreover, though aware of his own abilities - which were considerable - that awareness remained couched in modesty and never usurped his primary motivation: to help others enjoy the spotlight and achieve their greatest potential. To that end he had a special magic; he could transform the ordinary into the good, and the good into the sublime.

We'll miss you, Gene, until the time for our own "Cue 1, go." Then we'll all put on another show...

My favorite memory of Gene was his portrayal of Col. Pickering in My Fair Lady while he was in graduate school at UNCG. He was perfect in this role. He was a caring teacher.

Gene was a fellow chorus member in Livestock / CTG's production of "Sweeney Todd." He was such a joy to be around because he love to laugh and joke. His love of the theatre was truly infectious. Gene was also a kind and giving man always ready to help those in need. I will miss him.

I worked with Mr Saunders on the set for Beauty and the Beast, his passion for the students and the production was un matched. The students and RCHS will miss him dearly.

Gene was an inspiration to me in drama and in life. I will miss him dearly.