Wednesday September 21, 2022
Beloved son of the late Earl and Louise Blankenmeister; loving brother of Sue A. (Bill) Smith and the late Helen (the late Tom) Slack; dear uncle of Kim (Kirk) Selle, Dan (Kris) Smith, Becky (the late Joe) Eades and the late Robert Slack; dear great-uncle of Lynn (Alan) Schwane, Greg Selle, Nate Eades, Will Smith, Katie Eades, Joseph Slack and Sarah Slack; dear step great-uncle of Josh (Kate) and Dustin (Maddie) Maassen; dear great-great uncle of Avery Schwane and Stella Maassen; dear friend of David James.
Gene taught for over 30 years at University High School.
Services: Visitation at KUTIS AFFTON Chapel 10151 Gravois, Monday September 26 11:00 AM until services at 1:00 PM. Interment Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials to Humane Society or Animal Protection Agency appreciated.
My dear friend Gene. I am blessed to have known you and will cherish my memories of your wit and kindness.
Gene was my friend. He gave new meaning to the word reliable. I could count on him to listen, understand and advise with compassion and candor. He also had a sense of humor that was both dear and wicked. The world was better for having had him in it and my life is more complete for having known him. It is so Gene to ask for contributions to the Humane Society and APA and I love him all the more for it. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, my friend.
Sorry to say goodbye to my dear friend Gene. For 20 years I could count on him to be positive in the face of challenge. A kind heart with a ready smile. Not a bad bowler either. He will be missed.
Gene was a very reliable man, quiet and kind. Loved his 30 years of teaching and loved to refer back to that. He was always considerate thoughtful and a real pleasure to know. He fought his cancer with such grace. He will be missed. What a blessing he was to have in my life and anyone who came in contact with him.
What can i say about a wonferful man that i was blessed to meet at the age of 20 in 1976 and have been grateful to have been able to know him for 46 years and been influenced by such a incredible kind personality and proud to say i am who i am today from the influence of this man thank you gene its with a heavy sad heart i say rest in peace you will always be in my heart
My deepest sympathies to Gene’s family and friends. While our classrooms weren’t very close to each other, he was a wonderful colleague and always such a nice person to work with at UCHS. I will truly miss his smiling face and being able to sit next to him at the retired teachers luncheons, which he always seemed to enjoy so much. He will be missed.
Gene is so handsome! He was my date way back in 1960 at the MRH prom! My condolences to you & family!!!
I met Gene 20 years ago when I was having a difficult time. I immediately felt a kind, warm and guiding hand he held out for me. Over the years I recognized a keen intellect, a curiosity about how the world works, a desire to bring people together and a passion to share his knowledge. No one needed to tell me. I knew he must be a teacher. It was in his DNA. He was also a hoot, loved to laugh and pass on a good joke or story. His smile and kind spirit will remain with me forever. Peace be yours, Gene, and please say hi to God for me. ❤️
My condolences to his family and friends, Gene was always there to listen. He welcomed me 9 years ago and was always steadfast. God got another good guy, until we meet again good friend. Thank you for all your caring words and gentle reminders when asked, you will be missed!
My condolences to the family and friends of a very kind and friendly gentlemen. My heart is truly broken to hear of his passing. Gene and I were co-workers for 25 or more years as business teachers at University City High School. Gene was extremely helpful in helping me to adjust to a totally new situation when I started teaching there. We spent many wonderful years working and traveling with our business students, locally, state-wide and nationally, for competitive events. Gene was an excellent teacher who loved his students and they loved him, also. Rest in eternal peace, Gene. A job well-done.
I will miss hearing Gene talk about his terrific bowling scores, his love of family and friends and asking people to be kind to themselves and their loved ones.
I am going to miss Gene, always smiling and talking about his bowling scores
My condolences to the family. Mr Blankenship taught me typing (more years ago than I care to admit!). I met him again many years later, and found him to be kind, friendly, and wise. He was supportive to me when I was in a bleak and difficult time in my life. I am a better person for having known him, both as a teacher in my youth, and as a role model for how to live a better way of life. I’m so sorry I missed his passing, but I believe these words will find him through a Higher Power.