Obituary of Eugene H. Schuchert

Eugene (Gene) Harlie Schuchert, 83, of Iowa City passed away on February 11, 2024 at Briarwood Health Care Center.  A celebration of life service will be held at 2pm Sunday February 18, 2024 at Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City.

Gene was born August 13, 1940 in Iowa City to Oakey and Margaret Vernie (Chaney) Schuchert.  Gene and his older brother Bart grew up on the small farm to which their mother’s family moved just after 1900. Gene continued to spend many hours at the farm all his life, particularly in the shop working on his favorite activity, mechanics. He was the ultimate recycler and enjoyed the challenge of rebuilding wrecked cars. He also loved antique cars and still owned 2 Model Ts, one of which he bought with high school graduation money.

Gene began his education in the University of Iowa Lab Preschool and Kindergarten, then went to country schools for two years, including 2nd grade with his mother as his teacher. In 3rd grade he transferred back to the University Lab School where he remained until he graduated from University High School in 1958.

Gene’s father worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, so he was away from home much of the time. Gene was 12 years old when his father died in 1953. Their mother continued to teach school and raise the boys alone. Gene was very grateful to his mother for getting her sons into the University Lab School and for encouraging them to participate in many activities. In high school he participated in the drum and bugle corps and was a member of the All State Choir. In college he was a member of the University of Iowa Marching Band, performing at the 1959 Rose Bowl game and parade.

After graduating from The University of Iowa with his BS in Mechanical Engineering, Gene began working for Amana Refrigeration and continued there for his entire 45-year career, retiring in 2008. During those years he specialized in steel and paint, traveling to Canada, Mexico, Japan, and several countries in Europe, accumulating 2 million miles of air travel. He was proud to follow in his father’s footsteps by earning several patents. He was the recipient of the 1990 Raytheon Excellence in Technology Award.  He always shared fond memories of multiple Amana VIP golf tournaments where he was the designated host for The Oak Ridge Boys and dealt blackjack to celebrities and professional golfers at The Highlander Hotel. Amana founder George Foerstner and his family were key influences on Gene's successful career.

Gene's love for automobiles extended to him working at Linder Tire throughout high school and college where he received much appreciated encouragement and developed a lifelong friendship with Henry Linder. Gene also enjoyed running a NASCAR racing pool with the staff and friends of Fountain Transmission for many years.

Gene and Linda Smith were married August 20, 1966. Their very tight-knit bridge club provided celebrations, entertainment and strong friendships for over 40 years for which they are both very grateful.  They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2016 on a riverboat cruise with their children and families.

Away from work or the farm, Gene loved to boat, pheasant hunt and travel. He particularly liked teaching his children and their friends how to water ski. One of his goals was to take his children to all 50 states, and in a feat of logistical engineering, they reached their 50th state on Gene's 50th birthday.

Family includes wife Linda, son Jason (Rebecca) Schuchert, and daughter Jennifer (Michael) Hall. Cherished grandchildren are Nathan (Suzanne) Schuchert, Anna Schuchert, and Elliott Hall. Gene is also survived by his brother Bart (Carm) Schuchert and nieces and nephews Carmie (Matt) Lovelace, Bart (Meg) Schuchert, Nancy Hoke, Brett (Jeana Smith) Schuchert, and John Schuchert. He was preceded in death by his parents and his niece Cathy Forbes. 

The family is thankful for the excellent and compassionate care provided by Briarwood Health Care Center over his final eight months and the services of Essence of Life Hospice in his final week.  Gene has donated his body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement at P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550, or the Antique Car Museum of Iowa.  Checks for the Antique Car Museum can be sent to Saint Andrew Presbyterian at 140 Gathering Place Lane, Iowa City, IA 52246 by placing "Car Museum" in the memo line.