Eugene "Gene" M. Hirsh

Eugene (Gene) M. Hirsh Jr, 81, of Wichita, KS passed away peacefully on September 12, 2025, after a very short but courageous battle with cancer. Gene was born on April 20, 1944, in Lamar, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Angela Cullen, as well as his sister Lorraine Merydith. Gene leaves wife Carol Hirsh, sisters Jeanette Siemens (Jerry) and Loretta Neyer (Terry), loved ones Grandson Alex Downey and Little Sister Heather Leader, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gene was raised on a farm near Collyer, KS and later moved to WaKeeney where he graduated from Trego Community High School. He served in the US Army as an artillery surveyor. After a stint in the Army, he moved to Denver and then Wichita where he met his wife Carol at a square dance. He studied electronics at a technical school and received a BA in accounting from WSU before working for and retiring from Beech Craft/Raytheon.

Tennis was a big part of Gene’s life. He played with good friends at Sedgwick County Park,  McAdams Park, Riverside Tennis and Genesis.  He enjoyed biking and rode Biking Across Kansas several times. He and Carol enjoyed square dancing, biking, and playing pickleball at Andover Recreation before Covid hit.

Gene was a big believer in volunteering. For many years he was involved in VITA (Volunteers in Tax Assistance) preparing free income tax returns for at Dear Neighbor Ministries. His interest in politics led him to work the elections for many years.

Traveling, reading, biking, pickleball, and working in the yard kept him busy and happy. He was young for his age and he left us much too soon!

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to College Hill United Methodist Church (2930 E. First, Wichita, Kansas 67214) or American Cancer Society, (818 N. Emporia, Wichita, Kansas 67214).

The celebration of Gene’s life will be held on Saturday, September 27th at 11:00 a.m. at College Hill United Methodist Church (2930 E. First,  Wichita, Kansas 67214).

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