Eugene Albert Singer

Eugene Albert Singer passed away in Claremont, California, on Aug. 26, 2017, at the age of 96. Until his recent illness, Gene was living in his apartment, taking walks, and enjoying going places. He lived a very full life, and was blessed with good health throughout most of it. Gene was born in Niagara Falls, NY, on June 7. 1921. His parents were Canadian, and had moved to the United States in search of work.   Gene was the “baby” of the family, having been born when his two siblings were aged 12 and 18.  During the late 1920’s, life was hard, and the family moved many times, often living with various relatives.  Years later, around the family dinner table, Gene frequently told about hard times during The Great Depression. When Gene was in third grade, he was identified as a child with educational potential and was placed in a program provided by the Cleveland Board of Education for exceptional children. He had the privilege of attending classes at a “special school”, some distance from home.  In this unique setting, he received stimulation from French teachers, art and music instructors, and additional academic instruction in core subjects.  They were small classes, and Gene often spoke of this education he received and how much it meant to him. Gene saved all of his money from his job at the local library, and when he graduated from high school in 1939 he had enough money saved to attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Gene met Elizabeth (“Betty”) Wooster at the university when they were both sophomores.  They married the following year; shortly thereafter, all lives were forever changed by the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. The U.S. Army offered OCS (Officer Candidate School), so Gene enlisted.  Gene and Elizabeth Singer’s first child, Tracy, was born in December of 1942, before he shipped off to the Pacific.   As an officer, Gene was posted to the 373rd Antiaircraft Searchlight Battalion in the Solomon Islands, and later in Manila. Upon Gene’s return from the Pacific in 1945 he went to work for James Heddon’s Sons, and the two young parents were able to buy a small bungalow at 412 West High Street.  The family lived there for three years, until the birth of their second child, David, made them realize they needed more space.  The Singers then bought the home where Elizabeth had been born, at 210 Indiana Avenue, from her parents, Lyell and Nita Wooster.  In 1950 their third child, Larry, was born, and in 1952 Alexandra was born. Gene continued his interrupted education at University of Michigan, via a correspondence course, and in 1951 he graduated with a B.S. in Geology. In a bold move, Gene moved his family out to California in 1955 where he started working for Avery Label Company.  Ten years later, Gene was promoted to international sales, and began many years of frequent travel to many countries.  During these trips, the Singers often stopped over in Hawaii.  Both ended up falling in love with the idea of living on Maui, and did so for many years following retirement in 1982.  Gene was his happiest when he was in Maui and quickly adapted to the “hang loose” life style, wearing flip flops and shorts 24/7! Over the last 20 years of his life, Gene wrote numerous geology books, acquired an impressive movie library, and enjoyed a relaxed life in Huntington Beach, California. He and Elizabeth were married 75 years at the time of his death. Gene was a beloved father and grandfather.  He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughter Tracy Boulton, son Larry Singer, daughter Alexandra Thorpe, and seven grandchildren.  Son David preceded Gene in death, in 2013. Interment will be October 16, 2017 in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac. Services will be handled by Clark Chapel and cremation services. Those wishing to sign Eugene’s guestbook online may do so at www.clarkch.com.