Eugene 'Gene' Soper, 94

Eugene R. Soper passed away March 22, 2025, at his home near Athol, Idaho. He was 94 years old.

Eugene —“Gene” to everyone who knew him — was born July 31, 1930, in Lincoln, Neb., to Reid and Blanche (Watson) Soper. In 1934, when Gene was 4 years old, the family moved to New Plymouth, Idaho, and several years later to New Meadows, Idaho. This was during the Great Depression, and Gene learned to work hard at a young age. He delivered bread from his father’s bakery in his wagon, and drove his mother to and from her teaching job at age 11. He was industrious and resourceful. His inquisitive mind and exuberance for life served him well. Not only for the mischief he got into as a boy, but in becoming a self-taught mechanic. He started at the age of 13 repairing neighbors’ vehicles, and by the time he graduated from New Meadows High School in 1948, he had bought, repaired and sold 65 vehicles. 

In 1952, Gene married Judy Broderick. Together, they had three children.

Gene was an accomplished pilot. His first plane ride was at the age of 4, sitting on his father’s lap, and his love of flying began. He started flying in 1946 when he was 16 years old. He remained actively involved in and dedicated to the aviation community all his life, repairing and flying planes well into his 80s and announcing for air shows across the U.S. In the 1970s, Gene flew with Henley Aerodrome Flying Circus for six years, and he also for three years toured northern Idaho, eastern Washington and western Montana hopping rides with the Billy Bee Flying Circus in a 1929 Travel Air 4000 biplane. Through his lifetime he was a member of United Flying Octogenarians, Experimental Aircraft Association, Quiet Birdmen and also served for many years on the Coeur d’Alene Airport advisory board. In 2010, Gene was inducted into the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame, and in 2014, was awarded the FAA Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award for over 50 years of safe flying. Gene also was an author and historian, writing several books and many magazine articles. He was a member of the Antique Truck Historical Society, traveling to truck shows as well as collecting and restoring antique trucks. He also enjoyed boating in the San Juan Islands and on Lake Pend Oreille. 

As an adult, Gene worked as a heavy equipment mechanic and machinist. He traveled extensively with road construction and paving companies. His career took a turn in 1976, when he was asked to create a diesel technology program for North Idaho College. With his innovative skills, he built the program from the ground up, equipping the shop and writing the curriculum. His years as a teacher brought him great joy and satisfaction, and he taught at NIC until his retirement in 1992. Along the way, he earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. In 1977, he moved back to his beloved property on Bunco Road, where he lived until the end of his life. 

Throughout his life, Gene never lost his enthusiasm or his positive attitude. He was truly a “glass-half-full” person. He was well-known and well-loved. The people who called him a friend and stayed in touch with him through the years are too numerous to count, and all brought him great joy. In his last years, he was happy to sit on his porch surrounded by the serenity of nature and visiting with people who would stop by. 

Gene loved his family and was a much-adored grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by son Steve (Genny) Soper of Rathdrum, Idaho; son Ken (Klara) Soper of Ferndale, Wash.; daughter Carrie (Jon) Nylund of Sagle, Idaho; eight grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death in 2022 by his partner of 45 years, Helen Branson, with whom he enjoyed traveling and sharing his life. 

A gathering to remember Gene’s life will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Airport: 2186 W. Soper Ave., Hayden, ID 83835.

His family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Eugene R. Soper Scholarship endowment that he established at North Idaho College.

Online registry and condolences at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.