Obituary
Eugene Joseph Henleben passed away peacefully on November 23, 2023 knowing that he was loved and cherished by his family throughout his life.
Eugene was born on February 7, 1923, in St Louis, Missouri, the son of Edwin Henleben and Mamie (Walsh) Henleben. Eugene grew up with his father and brother Edwin Jr. in St. Louis throughout the 1920s and 1930s and recalled fondly his days selling newspapers, being a car hop, and working as an usher at the neighborhood theatre.
Two months after he graduated from Ben Blewitt High School he enlisted in the US Navy on August 26, 1942, at the age of 19. Eugene received training at Great Lakes, IL, Bedford Springs, PA, and Newport, RI before ultimately leaving Miami in September of 1943 to head to the South Pacific. Eugene and PT Boat 284 arrived at New Caledonia in November of 1943 and began patrols and battles on many fronts including Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Bougainville, and the Philippines.
Eugene was discharged from the Navy and returned to St. Lous in January of 1946. He graduated from David Rankin Commercial Institute in radio and electronic repair before moving to Chicago, IL to work for RCA Service Co. It was there that he met Dolores Weldon who would become his wife in November of 1950. In December of 1950, he was recalled to active duty in the Korean War and served as a radio operator aboard the USS Rendova Aircraft Carrier from Bremerton, WA. He was reunited with Dolores in San Diego and was discharged from the Navy in March of 1952.
Dolores and Eugene returned to Chicago in April of 1954 and began to raise three children, Susan, Mike, and Rob, in Glenview, IL in 1957. From 1960 – 1985, Eugene worked at Teletype Corporation in Skokie IL as an electronic engineer where he was awarded 2 US patents.
After his retirement in 1985, Eugene and Dolores moved to Florida in 1992. During this chapter of his life, he moved to a new home close to his beloved daughter and her family. He was able to indulge his passion for landscaping and experienced wonderful travel adventures to Alaska, Canada, New Orleans, California, and many other places.
One of Eugene’s proudest moments and greatest memories was when he was selected for the Veterans Honor Flight in conjunction with the release of the movie “The Pacific” in 2010 which chronicled the journey of experiences of people like Eugene during World War II.
Eugene celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by his family in February. He was honored for his milestone birthday and service to his country by a great many people including the President of the United States, the Governor of the State of Florida, a United States Senator from Florida, and his Florida State Senator. The day after his birthday his name was placed in the Congressional Record (Vol. 169, No. 26) after an address to the House of Representatives made by the Congressmen from his district.
Eugene will be remembered as a kind, humble, and reserved man who enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Eugene is survived by his children Susan (Jim) Yamauchi, Michael (Cheryl) Henleben and Robert (Cathy) Henleben; grandchildren Monica Yamauchi, Michael Yamauchi, Amanda (David) Kicklighter, Doug Henleben, Andrew (Jillian) Henleben, Laura (Trevor) Grieger and great-grandchildren Logan Grieger and Pfieffer Henleben. He was predeceased by his wife, Dolores, of almost 47 years in 1997
Leave a reply