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Eugene Fiese Obituary

Ledyard - Eugene "Gene" Fiese had a habit of opening up the newspaper every morning and turning immediately to the comics leading to a roaring laughter that could be heard throughout the house. After the comics, he would peruse the obituary page and announce, "Well, I'm not here. I guess it's safe to go to work." Sadly, the day has finally come that his obituary has made the newspaper. Gene left us early in the evening March 2, 2023, at 79 years old and the world seems diminished without his light.

Gene was a wonderfully warm funny man with a bright logical mind that could organize anything. He was full of life and full of joy. He was generous to a fault and always wore his heart on his sleeve. Unfortunately, he could also be honest to a fault and had a habit of always knowing the best way to do anything and was irritatingly right about it most of the time. There was nothing fake or hidden about him. What you saw was what you got. He had a real talent for making lasting friends. He collected them the way many of us collect households full of possessions until they overflow.

Gene was born the only son of Jeanette and Horace Fiese, and began his lifelong career of making friends. He was raised in Beloit, Wis., where he attended Beloit High School. He played football, and was of course class president, attending and officiating at every reunion to the delight of his classmates. In addition, he was active in scouting achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. At the University of Wisconsin, he was in the Sigma Chi fraternity (more friends). He discovered a passion for canoeing and sailing on Lake Mendota (even more friends) and graduated with an M.S. in pharmacy in 1968. He married his first wife Suzanne and moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan where he earned his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical chemistry.

His research career began at Parke-Davis and continued at Pfizer for 30 years. Gene retired in 2004, as an associate research fellow in the General Pharmaceutics Group. In that role, he managed a group that assessed the physical chemical properties of potential drug candidates. He served as an advisor and short-course instructor at University of Wisconsin's Division of Pharmacy Professional Development. After retirement, Gene was elected president of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists in 2007, and broadened his friendships world-wide.

Gene was known for being the ultimate Cheesehead fan of the Green Bay Packers. He was also a huge supporter of the Wisconsin Badger's football team and the UConn Huskies women's basketball team. He was active in the Pfizer sailing club and Ensign Fleet racing his own boat, "Indeseas," nearly every weekend. He was also a member of Shennecossett Yacht Club, commodore of the Mudheads (2004) and a certified principal race officer officiating many sailing races in Long Island Sound (many more friends).

He met his second wife, Kathy, at a Christmas tree farm picking out trees and they were inseparable for over 25 years. They laughed, sailed, skied, traveled the world and supported each other in everything they did. They were true soulmates.

He leaves behind his loving wife Kathy; his son T.J. Fiese of New London and Boston; his daughter Emily Adarayan and husband Jericke of Harleysville, Pa.; four grandchildren: Madeline, Emilia, Brandon and Archer; and a multitude of friends.

There will be a Celebration of his Life July 9, at Shennecossett Yacht Club. Donations in his memory can be made to the American Heart Association or charity of one's choice.

Saying goodbye to Gene is akin to a poem he was fond of. We're all standing sadly on the shore watching him sail slowly off into the distance getting smaller and smaller until he disappears from sight. But on the opposite shore there are a multitude of friends and family jumping up and down, pointing and shouting, "Look! Look, here he comes!"

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

Published by The Day on Mar. 26, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Fiese

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Bob Sulser

November 17, 2024

My sincere condolences to Gene´s family. I was sorry to read of the passing of Gene. Thoughts of him came to mind so I looked him up. As a classmate I liked, respected and admired him and his accomplishments. Rest In Peace Gene.

Jim Florey

July 14, 2023

I´m not sure sending condolences to Gene´s loved ones is exactly right-as we stand on the shore waving goodbye, we know we are lucky to have had him in our lives and know our memories will often leave us smiling.
What great memories! Mine include riding around Beloit in his red and white `56 (?) Chevy, tobogganing down the roads at Big Hills, looking down our Purple Knights defensive line and seeing him on the other end as the outside linebacker, playing together on the Remmele´s Rockets home room basketball team, his impish looks as we removed the Canterbury Woods (a make out spot) sign and attached it to a telephone pole behind BMHS, visiting his Elm Drive dorm room ...
Perhaps my most `Gene´-like memory is the time when he came to Ann Arbor and we went to a UW-UM football game. He was of course wearing his Cardinal colors which set him out in the sea of Maize and Blue. By halftime everyone around us knew who he was and was laughing and cheering with him. Classic Gene!

Even just writing this makes me miss him...but I´m smiling too.

Gaylord Lee

July 3, 2023

I was sad to learn that Gene has passed. Growing up with Gene was lots of fun. I often traveled up the alley from my house at 952 Moore St. to Gene's house at 952 Grant St. in Beloit to pick him up and walk to school together.

When I lived in Colorado, Gene would sometimes call when he was speaking at the CU campus. I always enjoyed our dinners together. Memory of Gene and his positive attitude will be with me forever. Gaylord Lee

Jerry and Connie Sveum

July 1, 2023

We had many good times together. We traveled with Gene and Kathy to Brazil for an international pharmacists convention and a wonderful trip in the Amazon. I´ll always remember him as one of my best friends. We are saddened to hear of his passing.

Deb Olsen

June 15, 2023

As his first cousin, daughter of Genes mom Jeannettes younger brother we spent many many family dinners, holidays and gatherings together. I remember Genes mom, Jeannette always set a beautiful table for holidays with linen table cloth and napkins. In later years Gene and i were talking and I brought up the memory and he said gruffly, and who do you think polished all that silver, ME! Gene you will be missed. I loved seeing you when you made your trips back to Beloit and got to hear all of your adventures

Sharon Cardinal

May 12, 2023

GENE was my big brother at Madison, even painting the kitchen of my rental apartment one summer. He got us all to go the Ernie & Debbies apartment to swim in their community pool...we took food & beer & it was a fun place to be on a warm summner evening. Erinie was a classmate in Pharmacy in Madison. When we moved to CT. as Jack took a job at Pfizer, Gene & also Suzanne (Elliot) welcomed us in so many ways. Gene & I organized our daughters camps in summer & Gene would take us all sailing. He & Kathy came to Albany a few years ago....our daughter Suzanne cooked dinner for everyone & I pretty sure Kathy loved all the cats & farm animals as much as our family. I drove Jack, & the Fieses to baseball near by. A farm team for mybe the Orioles. We also drove up to Fort Ticonderoga for a day to learn history. Gene & Kathy came to Suzanne & Eriks wedding. Many intertwining memories...It fills my heart with happiness that Gene was a part of my life. He will be missed always.

Ann harvey

May 7, 2023

One of my favorite people ever...new to Pfizer, he invited me to crew on his ensign, always a jolly smile in Pfizer hallway and at the regattas-very sad to see this. Thanks for all the laughs and kindness Gene. Ann Hallberg Harvey

Nina Ursitti

April 25, 2023

Gene was a very special person in my life - and in the lives of countless others. He wrote the book on how to live life to it's fullest ! A bubbly personality that lit up the room and a huge heart. Many great memories that I will always cherish.

Leslie Bufferd

April 10, 2023

Dear Kathy, Suzanne, TJ and Emily,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of your beloved Gene - Husband, Father, GrandFather and friend to all. While my knowledge and affiliation with Gene during the decade of the 90s was primarily through my relationship with the Elliot Family (Suzanne, TJ and Emily), I will always remember Gene as a most whimsical and clever pungent jokester who was never bashful about expressing his opinions on any subject matter or topic of conversation. Besides his love for his Family, he loved sailing and was a consummate sailor and a well respected and admired research pharmacologist at Pfizer Corporation.

Reinhard Sarges

March 29, 2023

Gene Fiese was a very close friend of mine for almost 50 years. We spent many days together on my sailboat "SALUD" or skiing the mountains, in the East and in the West of the USA or in Europe. He was a trusted friend, and I am very sorry that we cannot enjoy his company any more.

Marcia (Gower) Woelfel and BMHS Class of 1962

March 28, 2023

On behalf of the Beloit Memorial High School Class of 1962, we are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of not only our Class President, but also a true and wonderful friend. Gene was loved by all of us and totally appreciated by the "The Best are Through in '62" for all his contributions. We extend our deepest sympathies to his entire family.

Jay and Patti Iams

March 28, 2023

Gene was the life of the party at Madison. He will be missed by many.

Jan

March 27, 2023

Very Saddened by this news, well-written obit says it all! Gene was an all around great colleague appreciated by friends at Pfizer and in the sailing community..a great loss

Michele LaBonte

March 26, 2023

What a wonderful man, always a smile and a hello. He will be missed. Fondly, John and Michele LaBonte. Alandor

Connie and Lou

March 26, 2023

A common interest in sailing brought us together. Gene gave us forty years of wonderful memories. We love him and will remember his generous gregarious character.

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