Eugene C Olinger

Gene served the country through the Army ROTC while earning his BS in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1954, proudly documented in CSM's unique etched-silver diploma. From there Gene, Darlene and their first son, Keith moved to Ponca City, OK with Continental Oil Company, where they had three more sons Dale, Brent and Chad over the next 9 years. In 1963 he was promoted and transferred to the plant in Baltimore Md. in 1963 as the refinery plant engineer. For Continental Oil, he assisted Japan in commissioning one of its refineries, with the opportunity to live in the Japanese culture for several months. He continued with the oil industry for two more years in Midland, Texas. Gene then returned to his home in Colorado, which all of the family considered to be home. As an entrepreneur he partnered with a colleague, Norman Case, to build Intermountain Systems Incorporated, to engineer and build water treatment plants, providing safe, purified drinking water for many small municipalities across Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. Gene, Darlene, his mother Francis and her second husband, Marshall Wilson, later established a second business, DEWCO Water Equipment, Inc. Starting this business out of their homes, it eventually grew to include several employees many of whom have had long and loyal careers. This foundation and a humanitarian spirit provided him the opportunity to help many individuals reestablish themselves as productive, confident contributors to society. While he was a complicated man in ways that nobody fully understood, it is clear that at his core he loved. He loved his wife of 51 years, his sons, their wives and children-unconditionally. Through many complicated relationships, it remains clear that he was also loved by many, a fact that was difficult to communicate directly to him in the later stages of his life. Gene was an Expert ranked, competitive marksman on the Regional level. He was President of the Oklahoma Rifle Association and past Secretary of the Texas Rifle Association. He had a long family association with the Masons and Shriners. Gene thoroughly enjoyed his participation with the Antique Car Club and The Roamers. He loved bowling for years at the Denver Athletic Club and was a proud member of the Lakewood Country Club. While joining his son Brent, his mother and father in what comes after this life, Gene is survived by Darlene; his brother Richard and his wife Gena; his son Keith and his children Anthony, Erin and Jamie; his son Dale, his wife Julie and their children Jennifer and Daine; and his son Chad, his wife Tammy Lu and their children Brandon and Miranda. A celebration of his life and love will be held on Saturday March 1 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel at Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Community. 2445 S Quebec St. 80231 In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children c/o El Jebel 4625 W 50th Av Denver, CO 80212 or Colorado School of Mines Scholarship Fund.