Eugene Walter Lerch, known as Gene, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, after a battle with Multi-System Atrophy, a type of Parkinson’s disease. Born on October 9, 1941, in Chicago, IL to parents Walter and Geraldine Lerch. Gene lived in the heart of Chicago before relocating to Carbondale, in southern Illinois then to St. Paul, Minnesota, followed by Bowie, Maryland and eventually Prosper, Texas. 

Gene served in the United States Army from 1963-1965. He then pursued his undergraduate degree in forestry at Southern Illinois University and his double master’s degrees from The University of Minnesota. Gene worked for the United States Government for 32 years. 

Gene is survived by his loving spouse, Dr. Virginia D. Lerch. They spent 56 years married after quite literally running into each other at the A&P, where Viriginia worked in high school. Gene and Viriginia valued education and pursued their respective goals for the first 15 years of their marriage. When not working, they invested their time and energy into gardening and community service through their local church.

Preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Geraline Lerch and his brother, Brian Lerch, brother-in-law Leonard Dudzinski. Gene is survived by his wife, Viriginia Lerch, sister, Roxanne (Mich) brother-in-law, Joseph Dudzinski, sister-in-law Marilyn Dudzinski and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to his memorial fund. 

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