When my sister and I were kids, we thought Uncle Gene was way more fun than most grown-ups. He had a CB radio in his truck and let us choose “handles” and try to talk to the other truckers. He taught us to play chess, and gave us our favorite toys for Christmas. He made audio cassettes of us singing, and if it wasn't for him, there wouldn't be many pictures of us as kids. His Polaroid camera was especially entertaining for us. When we were 11 and 12 or so, he helped us sand, stain, and varnish our own desks and a dresser. When I turned 15, he gave me the leather jacket that his parents gave him when he turned 15. We used to enjoy listening to “Alice's Restaurant” together on Thanksgiving. These are just a few of my initial thoughts as I remember a man who was generous, caring, talented and forever young at heart.