Our remarkable dad, Gene Fendler, passed away suddenly on October 21, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Linda, his daughters Julia Fendler (Nico Denzl) and Abby Fendler (Billy Barker), granddaughters Casey and Ella, mother Rae Kaplan Lilienthal, sisters Lynny Steiner and JoAnn Lipman (Joshua), numerous nieces and nephews and two devastated felines, Billie and Brooksie. He was predeceased by his son, Benjamin, and his father, Ben Fendler.
Gene was born in Alexandria, Louisiana in 1947. He was active in the boy scouts, achieving the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, then attended the University of Virginia, where he was a member of ZBT fraternity, and graduated as a member of the class of 1969. After graduation, he enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard, attaining the rank of captain. Following a very brief stint as a geometry teacher, he attended LSU Law Center, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and editor-in-chief of the Louisiana Law Review. Gene often remarked that he knew he had found his career from day one of law school.
Graduating first in his class in 1973, he moved to New Orleans where he completed a federal clerkship with Judge Alvin B. Rubin in 1974. He spent the remainder of his career, over 45 years, with Liskow & Lewis where, as former President and Managing Partner, Gene led the firm through Hurricane Katrina.
He was a longtime member of Congregation Temple Sinai, where he had served as president. A genuine mensch, he was a brilliant trial and appellate lawyer known throughout the legal world as a lawyer’s lawyer, praised by colleagues and opponents alike. He lived by a strong code of values and his sense of honor and ethics earned him the respect, and friendship, of numerous adversaries. He received innumerable accolades and accomplishments throughout his long career, yet, despite his abundant professional successes, he remained humble and kind. He was a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a past president of the Louisiana chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the 2014 recipient of the New Orleans Bar Association’s Distinguished Maritime Lawyer Award. Gene had served as president of the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center Alumni Board since 2010. A Tiger for life, the Law Center inducted him into their Law Center Hall of Fame in 1987 and awarded him their distinguished alumnus of the year award in 2019, of which he was extremely proud.
A true believer in passing knowledge on, he was a frequent speaker and lecturer and mentored generations of law students and young lawyers, many of whom have written and shared their love and admiration of him since his passing, which he would never believe since, to him, it was simply his way. He was always accessible and willing to assist and could forever be counted on to lend a helping hand- be it with written word, hammer and nails, or a listening ear, all under the radar and never looking for recognition.
Gene was an experienced private pilot who had been flying for over 40 years. He was a Mr. Fix It of the highest order, spending hours in his workshop repairing and creating. He was an avid sports fan (until his team was losing), a bbq aficionado, often traveling off of the beaten path to track down the best cue sourced from his beloved food network shows. A lover of history and arcane facts, he was a frequent visitor to the World War II museum, of which he was a great supporter. He was always professional, confident, compassionate and honorable- a true gentleman in every way. Possessed of an infectious grin and a sterling sense of humor, he never missed a chance to laugh, whether it be at silly cat videos, the antics of his granddaughters or the Sunday comics.
Most of all he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who loved life. In his honor, give an extra hug to those you love- tell them now what you will wish you had said later, look around and realize how fortunate you are, and, when you think of Gene, know how much he cared for his family, his friends, his faith, his firm, and the legal and LSU Law community. Remember his goofy grin and laugh for him and, most importantly, enjoy every second of life as he would.
What we have written here seems inadequate for who and what he was, but our joy and appreciation for having him in our lives is boundless. He approached life with wisdom and wit, inspiring others to see the best in themselves, learn from their mistakes and be accepting of the opinions of others. As a tribute by his firm concludes, “Gene, you were the best of us, and we will never forget you.”
For those who would like to contribute in his honor, please send donations to the LSU Foundation, Gene Fendler Memorial Scholarship, LSU Law Center, 1 East Campus Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 or make online at www.lsufoundation.org/givetolsulaw (gift comment and tribute- Gene Fendler Memorial Scholarship).
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