Eugene Kent Bahling, age 65, of 208 Walnut Street, Edinboro died Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at Hamot Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Born August 26, 1942 in Huntington Park, CA, he was the son of the late Merwyn “Lem” Bahling and Mildred “Millie” Waters Bahling.
Gene grew up in Iowa and graduated as salutatorian from Burt High School in 1960 where he was senior class president and sang in the choir. He entered the University of Northern Iowa in 1960 and completed his B.A. in Art Education in 1963. While in college he was active in the Alpha Chi Epsilon social fraternity and the Campus Art Club. After graduating, he taught art at Jefferson Jr. High School in Dubuque, IA and in 1968 earned his master’s degree in Art with an emphasis in jewelry and metalwork. He was married to Elizabeth L. Foster from 1963-1983.
From 1969 until his retirement in 1998, Gene was on the faculty of Edinboro University teaching primarily in the Art Department, including classes in jewelry casting, metal fabrication, stained glass, and for a brief time, BASIC programming. He enjoyed his students and was a staff advisor for the Delta Tau Omega and Pi Lambda Phi fraternities. He also completed an Associate Science degree in Computer Information Processing in 1985.
He was a former member of the Presbyterian Church in Dubuque, IA, and more recently, a member of the Scions of Britain, a local car enthusiast club. Gene was a man of many interests–he enjoyed computers, bowling and golf, music and art, tropical fish, gardening, cars, coin collecting, history, and cooking.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two cousins.
Surviving family members include three children: Jeffrey Eugene Bahling and his daughter, Micaela of Indianapolis, IN, Erika Elizabeth Bahling and her son, Darius of Wesleyville, and Sean Michael Murphy and his wife, Brenda, and their three children, Carissa, Madison, and Christian, all of Steilacoom, WA; also, several cousins including Judy Stewart and Fran Ommen, both of Iowa, and a close friend, William Stouffer of Edinboro.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 306 Erie Street, Edinboro on Friday from 3-5 and 7-9pm and may attend funeral services there on Saturday at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Mitchell Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to ANNA Shelter, 1555 E. 10th St, Erie, PA 16511, or to Habitat for Humanity, 413 E. 9th St, Erie, PA 16503.
Erika,
I am so sorry to hear bout your dad.
I hope you are doing well
Randy
We are very sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. We knew him back in the late 1980’s when he was the advisor of DTO’s. He was a funny, caring and generous man. Rest in peace, Gene.