Eugene 'Gene' C. Austin, 90

The Greatest Generation lost one of its finest on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, with the passing of Eugene C. Austin in Dalton Gardens, surrounded by his loving family.

Born June 6, 1924, in Missoula, Mont. to Curtis J. and Mary (Monahan) Austin, Gene graduated from Missoula County High School in 1942. Engaging his passion for flying, he soloed for the first time on his 18th birthday. After joining the Army Air Corps he was training to fly bombers over Europe when he was ordered to transport a C-47 from Texas to India, where he began flying 'The Hump' to China.

Gene was among the first pilots to complete 90 missions over the treacherous Himalayan route, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for meritorious service. After the war he remained in the Air Force Reserves while attending the University of Montana, where he met the love of his life, Anna Jo Kelley. They were married Dec. 20, 1947, in Helena, Mont., and recently celebrated 67 years of marriage.

After graduating from Montana State University with a degree in Engineering Physics, Gene was planning to attend graduate school when he was recalled into active service for the Korean Conflict. He was a nuclear weapons officer when the Conflict ended and he returned to the States. Joining the Strategic Air Command in 1955, he flew the nuclear bomber B-47 before retiring as a Major in 1962.

Gene began his second career teaching mathematics in Kellogg in 1963. He started the first high school calculus course in Idaho and introduced the first personal computers for instruction to his students. He spent many summers volunteering as the director at Camp Easton on Lake Coeur d'Alene, where he first encouraged Boy Scouts from throughout the region to attend. He was also an adjunct professor at North Idaho College before retiring for a second time in 1985. He served his community of Pinehurst as a city councilman for several years before moving to Post Falls in 1990, to Hayden in 1996, and finally to Dalton Gardens in 2012. Well into his 80s, he continued to instruct calculus and mathematics online to students all over the world through the University of Phoenix.

Gene enjoyed boating and fishing, and spending time with his family at their cabin on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, sister Evelyn, and brothers Tom, Jim, and Jack.

He is survived by his wife, Jo; his children Tom (Chris) Austin of San Jose, Calif., Beth (Ed) Hatcher of Dalton Gardens, Dan (Linda) Austin of Spokane Valley, John (Deena) Austin of Harrison, Susan (Wayne) Morrison of Rathdrum and Patty (Jimmy) Morrison of Hayden; brothers Pat of Missoula and Curt of Moses Lake, Wash. His 25 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren (with one on the way) also survive him.

Funeral Mass will be at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene. Internment will follow, with full military honors, at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene.

So long, Pop. We miss you, but we will see you again.

Please visit Eugene's on-line memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.