Gene Douglas Hitler

Gene Douglas Hitler

September 21, 1930 - July 25, 2022

Salt Lake City, Utah - Gene Douglas Hitler passed away at his home on July 25, 2022. He was born September 21, 1930 to Turney Gay Hitler and Agnes Belle Gibson in Pocatello, Idaho. He had great boyhood adventures with neighborhood friends in the foothills of Pocatello.

Gene graduated from Pocatello High School in 1948. He earned an Associates Degree from Idaho State College. He enlisted in the newly formed Air Force at the beginning of the Korean conflict. He received specialized training at Lowry Airforce Base in Denver, Colorado. He served four years with one and a half years in Furstenfeldbruck, Germany with occupation forces and the 12th Air Force 36 Fighter Bomber Wing which moved to Bitberg, Germany for the remainder of his tour and received an Honorable discharge. He then returned home, met, and married his sweetheart and “buddy” Ruth Ann Barrett on August 12, 1955. He finished his studies as an Electrical Engineer at the University of Idaho in Moscow. After graduating with his Bachelors degree, he went to work for Sperry Utah Engineering Laboratories. He found a great home and career there for 34 years working on defense contracting. He took an early retirement in 1992 from Unisys (now L3 Communications) to care for his wife. This was his greatest act of compassion as he tenderly cared for Ruth in her last year of life.

Gene and Ruth raised their four daughters in their home in East Millcreek where they resided for 63 years. Gene was an attentive husband and father, supportive, empathetic, and firm. Dad had a sharp mind and wit to the end. Dad demonstrated love by his actions, and his goodness was consistent and evident in how he treated others. He had a great laugh and a clever sense of humor. He was a great story teller and his family often were the recipients of long conversations as he recounted cherished memories from his past.

During his 91 years, Dad was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, an Air Force Sergeant, an Electrical Engineer, a draftsman, an inventor, a documentary subject, a fisherman, a knife collector, a mentor, a pocket knife maker, a glider pilot, a geneologist, a crossword puzzle guru, a locksmith, a lizard diving instructor, an engraver, a wood worker, a dog trainer, a magician, a juggler, basement excavator of his parents home, a blowgun maker, a fireplace target practice expert, a model airplane coach. He was a really great guy.

Gene is survived by four children with his wife Ruth: LeeAnn (Garner Meads of Sandy), Belinda (Thomas Anderson of Cottonwood Heights), Susannah (Keith Brown of Millcreek), Jennifer (Mathew Chipman of Midway), 17 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Turney Gibson Hitler (San Diego) wife Ruth who passed away in 1992. 

A memorial service will be held at the graveside on Saturday, August 13, from 10:30 - 11:30 AM at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, 3401 S Highland Drive. A celebration of life will follow for family and friends. Per family request, please be seated by 10:20 am.