Eugene F. Averill, 79, of 3335 Monticello Ave., died Saturday, February 3, 2001, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. Gene was born April 8, 1921 on a farm in Black Hawk County. He grew up in Waterloo, however, and graduated from West High School in 1939. He joined the service in WW II and served as an Army Air Corps Pilot in Italy flying B 17 bombers.

Gene married Helen Martin May 28, 1944 in Waterloo. He was chief engineer at Titus Manufacturing Co. in Waterloo from 1948 until 1973. He then worked for Hawkeye Corrugated Box until his retirement in 1986.

Gene was a man of many talents and interests, Husband, Father, Grandfather, artist (woodcarving), fisherman (53# Muskie), inventor (he had a creative mind and a shop in the house), gardener (everything engineered and organized to perfection), cook (his bread recipes were precise and delicious), and collector (he kept and organized things which may be useful or a part of a future invention). Gene is survived by his wife Helen; son Marty and his wife Laura of Waterloo; daughter Jan and her husband Gary Rosauer of Buckingham; grandson Casey and granddaughter Emily.

Friends who wish may give memorials in his name to Visiting Nurses Association or First United Methodist Church.