Lessons I learned from Gene:  Take chances.  There will be highs and lows, successes and failures.  Enjoy the ride, and have fun.  Keep things simple.  Know what's important.
He showed me every day how to live life to the fullest, with love and laughter, being a friend to all, with an appreciation for hard work and a sense of adventure.  I will miss him.

Gene embodied his credo of live hard and play harder like no one I've ever known.  So much of who I am today is derived from countless hours learning from him about to how make and be a friend, be generous, find laughter and strive for the best in life.  

You became a part of our families and you will continue to be as I find myself repeating your mantra's to my kids even today.

I often tell my wife that I miss and wish I could go back to those days at PatPro, when it was early in the morning and you, me and Tuan would breakfast together with you in that rickety chair leaning back.  I'll meet you back there, Boss.

You are missed.  Rest in peace and try not to give them too much hell in Heaven my friend.

My very first memory of Gene was on a cold winter day on a golf course in Maryland. I had signed up for a winter of unlimited golf and when I got to the clubhouse the pro had asked if I wanted to golf with another member and I said sure.  I asked how I would find him and they said you won’t miss him he’s the one in shorts!  I had 3+ layers on. From that point on he was a kind soul, introducing me to many of the friends I have now and also was a great friend for traveling across the country for almost monthly golf trips. He was taken too soon!

Uncle Gene was truly a legend. I will always remember when my brother and I were still young and used to visit Virginia; Uncle Gene would always have some crazy story to tell of his wild expeditions and extreme sports: how he went skiing down some black diamond mountain; how he drove his Porsche straight into a volcano in Hawaii; flipped over his ATV once in Kentucky or somewhere and had a huge black and blue bruise on his leg (he seemed invincible); went scuba diving in deep waters and since he couldn’t swim, shot himself up to the surface with the oxygen tank and got yelled at by the instructor. He was the coolest uncle ever. As we grew older, it was great having a relationship and being able to actually hang out with him at cool bars and experience the nightlife in the VA/MD area together, meet some of his many friends, play cards, and of course, the group ski trip which seemed like something out of the Real World. While too short, Uncle Gene did have a spectacular life. And he always had a smile on his face. Looking forward to seeing that smile again in heaven, along with my father and grandpa. We love you always. Prayers of peace and strength for Auntie Sau, Uncle David and my Incredible Grandmother.

Gene was always a a pleasure to be around in any occasion. Warm, funny, and kind. I will miss you dear friend.

Gene was a good man and a funny man. He came to Vietnam for business and visited me. I wanted to drive him around on a scooter to see the city of Saigon and try various Vietnamese foods (Gene, Jag, Vinh, and I eat often at Eden Center). But no.....Gene wanted McDonald’s. 

I will miss you buddy. 

       I was Gene’s first hire at PatPro and we were both wearing shorts, T-shirt and flip flops.  From that moment, I knew I had found a work place and a boss that was special. His motto was simple, work hard – play harder. He taught me how to play poker and bluff, golf from the tips, smoke cigars and ski in any condition.  
	A story about Gene’s training style. A client calls in and Gene tells me to pick-up the other line and join the conference call. The client starts describing the invention and I am diligently taking notes to appear like I am listening. After 5-10 minutes, the client asks us if we understand the invention. Gene looks at me and says “Sure, Tuan why don’t you tell them what we are going to focus on”. Trial by fire. His other great work attribute was his number crunching in his head.  He was like a human calculator.
	My one great regret is not being able to show Gene how to handle the ladies. I recall a dinner with one of Gene’s lady friends and her family where her dad was telling us his life achievement with engineering the local Bay Bridge. Gene looked sternly at the dad and says with a straight face, “That Bridge has a major flaw”. Then silence. You can imagine the look on the dad’s face when he asks “What’s wrong with my Bridge”? Gene pauses and replies: “It has a toll”.  That’s the Gene we knew. In the end, Gene would always follow his big heart.
	Besides being a great mentor, Gene was a great friend. He was very kind and generous to all of us. I will surely miss all the poker we played, the happy hours we hosted, the Cuban cigars we smoked, the golf tournaments, the Utah and Colorado ski trips and most of all, the daily lunches and conversations we used to have together.
	Gene, my man- Thank you again for what you have given me and my family. It has been an honor and a great privilege to have known you.  May you rest in everlasting peace and find happiness with God.
	Your buddy forever, T-Bone

Gene, Jag and me on the 1st Tee at Shepherd's  Hollow Golf Club here in Michigan. . We had at great day... Gene was good golfer, but even a better Euchre player.  This is a terrible loss for everyone.

Gene has always went out of his way to help people. 
Hands down the best person to ever lived. 

Gene was always so kind and thoughtful. I remember how he always checked in and never had a negative word to say about anyone or anything.  Looking back I now realize that he had God spirit in his heart.  I pray for comfort and peace to Gene’s family.  Tom

Christine and I were so saddened in learning the news about Gene.  Our sincere condolences to his family. 
Gene was a kid at heart. He believed in working to live (vs living to work) and had an ability to make you always laugh. He introduced Christine and I to the joys of skiing and good eating.  We always enjoyed the frequent annual ski trips with him and will always remember our trips out west to CO, NM, UT and CA. To this day every time we go skiing we still think of Gene.  Rest in peace my friend. 
Tom and Christine

My deepest condolences.  Gene was certainly one-of-a-kind.  I don't know anyone else who remained such good friends with his boss from his first "real world" job such that your boss was best man at your wedding.  If you were around Gene, you knew you'd be laughing.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Gene Wan

8 mars 1958 – 20 janvier 2021

National Funeral Home & Memorial Park

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service