Gene Falck

Verona- Gene Charles Falck, age 84, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at home. He was born on August 4, 1936, to Johann Gustav Falck and Dorothea (Irons) Falck in Chicago IL.

Gene and Helen Frances Stokes met when they were both in the military. Gene was an Army Captain and Helen was an Army Specialist in the Women's Army Corps (WAC). They fell in love immediately; and Gene and Helen were married on February 20, 1959, in Maryland. They were stationed in Aberdeen Proving Ground (Baltimore), Fort Bliss (El Paso), Fort Richardson (Anchorage) and then back to Aberdeen Proving Grounds. While moving all over the United States with the military, they had three children together: Doug, born in Boston; Rita, born in El Paso; and Irene, born in Anchorage. Gene was stationed overseas for three years after their time in Alaska. When he returned home from overseas, the entire family settled in Verona, Wisconsin, in July of 1969.

Gene enjoyed being an amateur Geologist while growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, and had an extensive rock collection. He continued his passion for learning about and documenting the molecular make up of rocks that he found right up until his death. He kept copious notecards with information together with rock samples. His son Doug even found a few rocks in his car— likely still waiting to be researched. Gene was always learning, researching, and sharing his knowledge with his children and grandchildren.

As a boy, Gene traveled by train from Arizona to join his aunt and uncle in Chicago. He spent many summers together with them in Door County, where they owned a vacation home. One year after his wife’s death, Gene was able to return to Door County with his adult children and their families for a celebration of her life. It was a special year for everyone.

Gene graduated in 1958 from the University of Arizona (UA), studying mathematics and chemistry. He was a Baird Mathematics Scholar, a member of the American Chemical Society, and a Kappa Alpha Fraternity member. He received a scholarship from the Interfraternity Council (IFC). He was also affiliated with Pershing Rifles while at UA, which was a National Underclassmen’s Military Honorary organization. After graduating from the university, he joined the Army through ROTC. After his military career, Gene went on to work at Badger Army Ammunition Plant as a Safety Engineer until the plant closed in 1977. He finished his career at Engineering Industries in Verona until retiring in 2015 at the age of 79.

Gene was extremely intelligent and had a photographic memory. His interests were vast, and included many fields of sciences, mathematics, philosophy, and literature. He also had a keen interest in cultural studies, particularly of the American Southwest, indigenous peoples, and their languages across the United States. If Gene wasn’t reading or researching, he was talking and sharing what he knew with others. These conversations were treasured by his children, who knew that the conversation would eventually circle around to his beloved Arizona. Education was a priority throughout his life.

Gene’s family included a menagerie of pets as his children were growing up in Verona. Over the decades, family pets included parakeets, mice, hamsters, a dog named “Rusty,” a boa constrictor named “Boston Strangler,” and a raccoon named “Raquel.” Once his children were grown, Gene would say that he didn’t want any more pets. However, he really loved and enjoyed visiting with all of his children’s pets throughout the years.

Gene is survived by his three children, Douglas (Sara Risser) Falck, Rita (Phillip) Nash-Striley, Irene (Jay) Ekleberry; two grandchildren, Blair Ekleberry and Hannah Striley.

He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.

If you’d like to honor Gene Falck further, pick up a rock or a book, and enjoy learning forever. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dane County Humane Society.

A private service will be held at a later date.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625