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Obituary for Leslie "Gene" Hahn
Leslie Eugene “Gene” Hahn, 66, of Brookings, passed away from pneumonia in Crescent City, Calif. on September 9, 2014. Gene, as he was known by family and friends, was born on September 3, 1948 in Highland, Illinois to Gerald, Sr. and Venita Hahn. As a teenager, Gene worked for Whitey’s Richfield Service Station. He also fished with his dad, Gerald, on the F/V Seabreeze. Gene later captained the F/V Gladys L and also worked with Jim Lindley on the F/V Panda. Following that, Gene had a short stent at the plywood mill but his heart’s desire was for the great outdoors. He went to work for Jim Archibald at ACCO for many years building roads and blowing stumps. He also worked for South Coast Lumber as a gypo, for Green Diamon, Les Olson and others. In 1988, Gene started his own logging business on a shoestring budget. He then ran logging equipment for Rusty Strain. Gene was a hard worker that loved logging and excelled at what he did. His favorite thing being falling timber, sawdust was in his blood – Gene was one those endangered species, “the hairy-chested bread winner.” He was admired by many for his talents and his dedication for helping and teaching others. That rare mixture of strength and kindness. One of his deep pleasures of life was going to work. The night before he died, Gene was on the phone figuring out when he was going back to work. He loved the men he worked with. Gene was also a dedicated father to his 3 daughters and loved his wife of nearly 47 years. In their eyes, he was larger than life. Gene liked to hunt, fish, picnic, go canoeing up the Chetco River and go to Dutch Bros. Coffee. Gene liked to shoot the breeze with everyone. He is and will be missed. Survivors include his wife, Shannon, daughters, Angie Bennett (Dan), Tanja Rutherford (Justin), sister Teresa Strasheim (Tom), grandchildren, Brad and Courtney Woodel, Stephanie, Hollie Eagen-Bennett, brother, Jerry Hahn, Jr. (Kathy), sister-in-law, Barbara Hahn and many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Krista Woodel, brother, Mike Hahn and nephew, Ben Strasheim. A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 at the Band Shell at Azalea Park. The Rev. Bernie Lindley (Gene’s godson) will officiate. Redwood Memorial Chapel is assisting the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.
