Gene Walter Erwin
August 15, 1929 - June 26, 2025
Location Of Death: La Grande, OR United States
- County: Union County
- City: La Grande
- Funeral Home: Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center of La Grande
Celebrating Life
Gene Walter Erwin, longtime resident, beloved teacher and sportsman, passed away, Wednesday, June 26, 2025 at the Grande Ronde Hospital at the age of 95.
Gene was born on August 15, 1929 in Baker, the only child of Walter and Ena (Landreth) Erwin. He was raised and educated in Baker. After graduating with the Baker High School class of 1947, he entered the US Air Force where he served in South Korea where he served in munitions and supply. After his honorable discharge he came to La Grande to attend Easter Oregon College (now EOU) where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. He taught math and science in middle school and later high school before he earned the endorsement to teach special education. After he retired from Teaching in 1984 he and a partner, Doug Barton, operated Alpine Archery for several years.
In 19?? Gene was married to Sandra Benson in La Grande. She preceded him in death in 1971
Gene was a devoted member of Faith Lutheran Church in La Grande where he served on the board of elders. He was a member of National Rifle Association, the La Grande Gun Club and the Grande Ronde Archery Club and the American Legion. He loved to play pool, 3 or more times a week, all over town, in fact he played pool the day before his death. He loved to hunt and fish and spend time in the outdoors. In his younger days he enjoyed tooling leather.
Relatives who remain are his children Gena Haugen of Roy, Utah, Kathy Benson of Union, Shannon Garrison of La Grande, Alana Robocker of La Grande, Christopher Robocker of La Grande, Derek Erwin of Honolulu, Hawaii and Andrea Waibel of La Grande; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Besides his parent and his wife, he was preceded in death by a son Arlyn Erwin.
Contributions in memory of Gene Erwin may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 8th at 10:00 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church, 104 S. 12th Street, La Grande. Committal and interment will follow at the Grandview Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left on Gene’s Tribute page at www.danielsknopp.com
Services are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center of La Grande.
