Eugene Burton Cahn

1944 - 2025

Eugene Burton Cahn
January 13, 1944 - February 1, 2025
Captain Eugene Burton "Buzz" Cahn, Husband, Father, Friend. Born at Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol and grew up on his parents chicken ranch in Sebastopol, When he graduated from Analy, he went to work for Manzana Cannery as a lineman and later as a Vinegar Technician until he joined Santa Rosa Fire Department which became his career of 32 years. There are many stories of Capt. Gene "Buzz" Cahn and the things he did, developed and accomplished.
When assigned as Captain at Station 7, in the late 1970's he created the Oakmont Wild Oak Emergency Preparedness Team, a program to assist residents of Oakmont to be prepared for emergencies such as Fire and Earthquakes.
Gene also coordinated providing Fire trucks and Equipment to several small Fire Departments in Mexico in the mid-70's and again to a small Fire Department in Horsefly British Columbia in the 90's.
He also took training from the State to become a Master Instructor, certifying Twin Hills Fire Department as the second Volunteer Department in the State to be certified as fully trained for Fire Fighting. He then taught Fire Science for Santa Rosa Junior College and staged accident scenes as a practical test for his students.
Gene had a lifelong love of music and played the accordion, forming a band called "3 Corns and a Cob" as a teen. As an adult he took up the guitar, playing for his family. When he retired, he took his guitar playing more seriously and participated in open mikes in Sebastopol and then open mikes and performances in several music Festivals in British Columbia. He made a CD of songs which included a poem that he set to music and gained permission of the author to add it to the CD.
Gene was an avid fisherman, set a record for a 47 3/4 lb Striped Bass on the Napa River that held for many years. Gene bow-fished for Stingrays in Tomales Bay and Carp in the Russian River, and loved fishing up in British Columbia where he owned a Cabin in the Caribou region.
Gene became entranced with the sport of Fast Draw shooting, and formed the Buzzards Roost Gang. He set several world records and came in 2nd in the world one year.
Gene was a man that always offered help and assistance to anyone when it was needed.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sharon, his brother Tony, his son, Christopher and daughter Cherie, 4 grandchildren-Joyce, April, Kristina, and Rose as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of his life will be held at: Sebastopol Masonic Center on April 6 at 4 p.m. located at 373 N Main Street Sebastopol.