With respect, admiration, honor and yes, a little love!!!

[airguner]

It is with a pain in my heart and a tear in my eye that i write this.
A true legend and a icon.Gene was a friend and a awesome person.GTA wiil never be the same without him.
My full condolences to Genes family,you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you gene for all you've done.

[captain]

Thanks to y'all for keeping this forum up and running, and to everyone who remains patient with us old farts who never seem to learn more than a newbie.  Gene's surprise passing (to me) reminds me that I only have a finite time left to play with my guns.  I really need to cull the collection, and improve what I keep.  Thanks for all the help, past, present, and (I hope) future.
:beer:

[JrSquirreler]

Gene and GTA has brought a hobby to me that will for sure last a lifetime. My thoughts and prayers out to Gene's family. Rest easy.

[Onebaddj]

My best to all of his family and friends. Hate to see the man go.

[lloyd-ss]

It's always hard to see someone go, but especially when they have a heart as big as Gene's. He is missed.
Lloyd-ss

[gillchaser]

Hello, it's been awhile since I've been on GTA and looks like it had been too long since I said hi to my good friend Gene . I was shocked to read of his passing .
I met Gene online many years ago and in person at the very first "Get Together " .
He will be truly missed .
Prayers to his family . David Kirby aka gillchaser

[Chemdawg]

Oh boy.... During my leave of absence from the forums, I missed on something big.  I got to meet Gene at last years fun shoot.  I was only there for part of 1 day, and had to leave.  But during that time, I got to talk to gene a bit.  From my time on the forum, and my time I had to talk to Gene, it's been a pleasure.  Thanks for everything Gene, and god Bless. 

[Air4All]

I have just joined the club recently and other than my required introduction post this will be my first in any gate. I'm honored that it be in recognition someone so respected by the community and whose contributions have led to the benefit of so many, "God bless you Gene". I too have felt the loss of ones close to me because of cancer, I detest it. Unless a person goes through the ordeal with someone, and I wish that on nobody, it's hard to realize the pain, emotions, prayers, and totally unveiled conversations that take place during such time. I believe all Americans should honor those who give so much and whose shoulders we stand on in so many areas of each of ours lives. Thank you to all those responsible for establishing this forum. I wish I could have met Gene.

[ezman604]

Thought about adding a link to this thread into the recent announcement. But instead, I will just add a reply to bring it back for another look and more comments if you wish.

[lloyd-ss]

I remember the first time I met both Gene and Bob.  It was the Funshoot at Gene's in the spring of 2012. I had talked to those two guys a few times on the phone before that,  but here we were face-to-face.  No pretentiousness at all. What you see is what you get.  I remember thinking to myself, Wow, these two guys started the GTA from scratch and have grown it into, even if not the biggest, by far, the best, Airgun Forum in the world. How is that for a legacy?
Even though I am very sad that they are both now gone, I feel honored that I was able to meet them, learn from them,  and call them my friends. 
I will never forget them.
Lloyd

[OldmanJunky]

My apologies for digging up a post that is long overdue.

Summing up Gene in a post seems a bit crazy to me; there was so much to the man that I'm sure at least one, if not many entertaining books could be written about his life and his unique perspectives, let alone the vast airgun craftsmanship and expertise stored in that man's head and heart.

My small piece of knowing Gene was a casual friendship that developed in the GTA chat room.  He would always laugh at my silly way of approaching customizing airguns on a budget ("you are trying to be a machinist with a dremel??") and my constant chase of the perfect air rifle.  I had an amazing time getting to know the man and his sense of humor.

He would always poke fun in a light-hearted way, razz me for being a cheapskate, and generally make me enjoy being part of the airgun community.  Sometimes he spoke about the joys of his younger days, the new projects that he would be working on, or field a bunch of questions that new members would have when they joined chat.

I had moderator access at one point and was helping behind the scenes before life got too busy for me to continue.  I thought already knew how much he cared about his extended family (the GTA community), but this peek into the backroom revealed a deeper level of devotion to us; he wanted to ensure that it remained a healthy, warm place for people to share the obsession that is airgunning. He put so much of himself into making this great place for both the new and the veteran.

I am glad I knew the man for the time I did.  I am humbled by and thank him for his service to our country, as well as to the airgunning community.  I wish I was able to make it to the GTA fun shoot the year it was at his home and meet him face to face.  And I regret not coming back sooner to say goodbye to the man.  I wish his family and those who knew him closely continued healing in his absence and peace in the future.

May he rest in peace.

[ezman604]

Because of the recent passing of another airgun brother, along with a couple of folks here locally that were friends of mine, I came back for another look at this thread. I'm reminded of how important it is to tell those around us how they have positively affected our lives. And how they have enhanced our lives. We are NOT guaranteed tomorrow. I'm so glad we were able to tell Gene and Bob our thoughts before we lost them.
GOD Bless you both and thanks again for all you did for us that you touched and for all you gave to the entire airgun community. We love you and miss you greatly!!!

[bnowlin]

You are so.right Dave.  There are some things and especially folks that you can never forget and shouldn't
RIP
Bob