Gene Naumann

Gene Naumann, a successful Austin real estate broker with an encyclopedic knowledge of Central Texas, died at his home Sunday. He was 84. He began his real estate career in 1944 and was still working every day at his office on Burnet Road when he was diagnosed with leukemia in late October. Eugene Elwin Naumann was born April 28, 1922, on a ranch in Spicewood, Texas. The only son of Earl and Tiny Naumann, he and his sister, B. Ruth, moved to Austin with their parents at a young age. He was a natural salesman. Before he entered his teens he already was selling newspapers on Congress Avenue. He graduated from Austin High School and, within a few years, began the career that would define his life. Gene Naumann loved everything about selling real estate - he enjoyed driving the back roads and scouring maps, looking for property to sell and then burning up the phone lines until he found a buyer who agreed that what he was selling was exactly what they wanted. He married his high school sweetheart, Margie Shropshire, in 1944, and they had one son, Vance, who, like his dad was a natural salesman. Vance learned the business at his dad's feet, and when he joined Gene Naumann Real Estate, father and son traveled those roads together, debating the merits and prices of houses and buildings and land. Gene was a voracious reader - he started every day with a cup of coffee and the Austin American-Statesman (which he sold as a kid), the Dallas Morning News, USA Today and occasionally the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. By 8 a.m., he had read them all cover to cover, making sure he was up to date on current events. Then he headed to the office. He didn't have hobbies; he had no desire to retire. He couldn't imagine anything more enjoyable than talking to people who needed a house or were looking for a little piece of land that had trees and a creek running through it. If anyone could find a slice of paradise, Gene Naumann could. His red and white "For Sale" signs have dotted the Central Texas landscape for more than 60 years. He was well known as an honest businessman and he always believed deals were sealed with a handshake. He loved Central Texas, and when visitors came to town, he piled them in his car and drove around for hours, regaling them with stories about how the city had changed and was changing. He had a remarkable memory and could bring Austin's history to life. He was devoted to his mother, Tiny Naumann. Before she died in 2005, Gene spoke to her every day and set aside time every Sunday to visit and to take her to lunch. She lived to age 103, and Gene was convinced he would live to be 100, too. He missed that prediction and on Sunday resumed his cherished visits with his mom. Gene Naumann was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife, Margie; his son and daughter-in-law, Vance and Janet Naumann; and his sister, B. Ruth Hoffman, all of Austin; and many nieces, nephews and friends who mourn his death. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, 1 p.m., at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Dr. Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to your favorite charity. The family also wishes to thank Hospice Austin and Life Made Easy for the care they gave Gene Naumann during his illness.