The campus community mourns the passing of Eugene “Gene” Depew, 66, who died on Monday, November 23, 2015. A member of the Class of 1971, Gene was a recipient of both his bachelor and master of science degrees in education from Bucknell University. Following graduation, Gene returned to Bucknell as an assistant football coach, serving in that role until 1992. He became an assistant baseball coach in 1974 and took on the role of head coach in 1982. He retired as head baseball coach in 2012 after 40 years of service to Bucknell.
He was born June 14, 1949, in Lewistown, a son of Phyllis (Kell) Depew of Mifflinburg, and the late Boyd Depew. On January 22, 1983, at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Mifflinburg, he married the former Debra Haire, who survives.
During his baseball coaching career, Gene won 591 games at Bucknell, guided the team to five NCAA Tournament appearances, and was named Patriot League Coach of the Year four times. Gene was inducted into the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame with the 35th Class in 2013. More information about Gene’s accomplishments at Bucknell are available here.
He was a member of the St. John’s United Church of Christ, Mifflinburg, where he formerly served as deacon.
Gene was a member of the Ponderosa Hunting Camp, where he enjoyed hunting, good food and drink, and spending time with his friends. He enjoyed golfing, playing poker, and woodworking, a craft he learned from his father.
Surviving in addition to his mother and his wife of 33 years are one son and daughter-in-law, William ’11 and Amber Depew of Mifflinburg; one daughter and son-in-law, Erin ‘06 and Anthony Threet of Mifflinburg; two grandsons, Braden and Bryson Threet; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Terry ‘73 and Cathy Depew of Wheeling, West Virginia, and Alvin ‘81 and Ellen Depew of Fairfax, Virginia; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends.
Family and friends are welcome to a celebration of Gene’s life at Rooke Chapel, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 11 a.m., with Reverend Ted Justice officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gene’s memory may be made to the Bucknell University Baseball Program in care of the Bison Club, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg PA 17837.
Funeral arrangements are by Roupp Funeral Home, Inc, 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg. You may express your condolences online at www.rouppfuneralhome.com.
Members of the Bucknell Community are encouraged to visit our In Memoriam Site at bucknell.edu/InMemoriam and share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of the entire Bucknell community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Gene’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President