EUGENE "GENE" ALFRED PENFIELD
Lt. Col. (ret.)
October 1, 1934 ~ June 1, 2016
Eugene A. Penfield, 81, of Ridgefield, WA, passed away June, 2016. He was born in Northampton, MA, the only son of Alfreda Korytko and Waverly Penfield.
Gene earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from St. Louis University and a Master of Science in Systems Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He retired in 1976 from the Air Force after 21 years of service. He considered his most gratifying assignment to be as Commander of the 463rd Field Maintenance Squadron in the Philippines during the height of the Vietnam War. His highest military award was the Meritorious Service Medal, which he also earned with Oak Leaf Cluster.
After serving the United States, Gene worked as a plant supervisor and later as a financial advisor.
His hobbies during his retirement were painting, reading, watching various sports teams, and writing. Gene wrote a novel and six short stories, which his survivors are seeking to publish. He was also a very active member of the Vancouver Military Officer's Association of America.
Gene married Dorothy Ann Baker on April 3, 1958, who still survives him and his children, Diana Blake of Lafayette, OR, Robert Penfield of Bellevue, WA, and Stephen Penfield of Hillsboro, OR; sister, Lucia Kielbasa of Amherst, MA; grandchildren, Paige Penfield of Bothell, WA, Matt Bressler (Katie) of Newberg, OR, Stefanie Nergaard (Jeff) of Molalla, OR; and great-granddaughter, Scarlett "the Starlet" Bressler, also of Newberg, OR.
A memorial service is planned for Mon., June 20, 2016 at 1p.m. Gene's ashes will be interred at the Vancouver Barracks Military Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Belatedly I find the news of passing of my friend Gene, a missileer from Little Rock in the 60's. We were the front line of the Cold vWar in those days, impressed by the necessity of our terrible task, but, just as surely guaranteed to accomplish the job. There were Charlie Bob, Joe, Will, Dave, and so many others. And the wives, Dorothy, Janie, Marilyn, Berta, again so many others. America at its best. And you were there, Gene. You and your handsome family. God speed. Well done. Bob MCCC Crew S-31
April 30, 2017
Uncle Gene, How I will miss you. Coming to Wa will never be the same without you. I'll always love you. Thank you for loving me and being so good to me and Mark. Until we meet again.
Love you "BIG DADDY"
Andrea Rundell
June 22, 2016
This my final salute to my good neighbor and fellow Air Force veteran.
Stephen Cornick
Captain, USAF (Retired)
June 20, 2016
I'm sorry to hear about Gene's passing. He and I were classmates at Williamsburg ("Burgy") High School and graduated in 1952. My condolences to the family.
Harry Pomeroy
June 12, 2016
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