Eugene Lee Koenigsberg, born October 5, 1956 at Seaside Hospital in Long Beach, California to Herman and Rochelle Koenigsberg. Gene has two other siblings, Lisa Beth Finkelstein and Alan Jay Koenigsberg. Gene has a very favorite nephew, Derek Jay Koenigsberg to which Gene will never be forgotten.
From an early age, Gene was fascinated by space, astronomy and science fiction. His favorite cartoon as a child was AstroBoy. Other favorite shows included Thunderball XL-7, Star Trek (the original series), Space 1999 and Lost in Space. These series inspired Gene to look upon the heavens with awe and wonder and challenged his imagination through conversation with others.
As a young adult, Gene attended Lakewood High School, in Lakewood, California and went onto Long Beach City College where he studied Jewelry and Marketing. Gene was actively involved with DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America) and won the 1976 National DECA Award for Sales and Marketing. This is when Gene met his best friend Richard Feinberg. Along with Richard, many other life-long friendships were made during the DECA-Days, where Gene's wacky sense of humor and "Gene-Jokes" broke the ice on many occasions. He along with his fellow DECA members traveled the United States throughout the years in mentoring and judging roles and helped other young students learn the sales and marketing skills needed today.
Gene started in Boy Scouts with Troop 35 which originated in Lakewood, CA at Temple Beth Zion Sinai (now Shir Chadash), back in 1979. Gene began as an Assistant Scoutmaster and very quickly assumed the leadership role as Scoutmaster. Throughout his 10+ years with Troop 35, Gene organized, orchestrated and led the troop through many events such as trips to the Goodyear Blimp, Las Vegas & the Hoover Dam, various community events, Memorial Day celebrations, etc. Gene also was assisted by various adult staff members who positioned themselves strategically alongside the scouts and created a cohesive and motivating troop spirit. Troop 35 took the Clean Sweep award at one of the bi-annual Boy Scout Camporee's and won every event but one which was a major event and knock-out for the scouts and troop. Gene also led the 1985 National Scout Jamboree Troop 858 which was comprised of scouts from Troop 35 and others in the Long Beach Area Council and two scouts from Australia. Gene's active leadership role in scouts helped mold the majority of those young men and the lessons learned are still engrained in each and every one of those scouts.
Throughout Gene's adult life his experience and expertise in credit and collections made him a regular at the credit managers meetings put on by the Reimer Group, a nationwide consortium of other professionals who work together and learn the business. Gene created Credit Jeopardy to help train others within the group and make them aware of credit practices of retailers to which they do business with. Gene always had a way of making something so mundane into something spectacular.
Gene's inspiration and guidance to others will never be forgotten as he leaves a legacy of talented and caring young individuals in his wake.
In March of 2006 Gene was diagnosed with kidney failure and began a two-year struggle with dialysis and the health related issues caused from his body and diet. Gene was a Type-2 diabetic and also had heart disease. Around 2004 Gene underwent a little cleaning of his arteries and unbeknownst to his medical staff, Gene was allergic to iodine. This event caused a chain-reaction which made his kidney's shut down to 5% each. In 2007 Gene was approved by the Mayo Clinic to be eligible for a kidney transplant. This meant that a donor kidney would be added to Gene's body so then he'd have (3). The search began… Mom was screened but due to her age, was not a candidate. Lisa, Gene's sister was also screened and was deemed not eligible. Gene's brother Alan was then screened and was not eligible. The hunt continued to Gene's best friend, Richard. After much finger crossing, testing and finally the medical results… Richard was eligible and was now Gene's last hope. Gene's nephew Derek named the donor kidney "Walt Kidney" and from that moment on, "Walt" was the topic of conversation and excitement. The surgery date was set for April 8, 2008…
Along with Gene's diet, lack of exercise, kidney problems and diabetes, his heart was just unable to keep up with the demand to remove fluid from his body. The iodine issue that began the domino effect took its toll on his system by making it work harder than ever. This unfortunate mishap caused his kidney's to fail and over the next couple of years, the stress on his body was too much. Gene succumbed to his heart failing in his sleep during the night of March 8th – 9th, 2008. Gene went peacefully and with no signs of pain or struggle. Gene was 51 years old.
Gene's willingness to help others, teach others and befriend others will never be forgotten. Gene will always be missed and there shall never be another like him.
(Thank you Lisa and Alan for Gene's bio.)
From an early age, Gene was fascinated by space, astronomy and science fiction. His favorite cartoon as a child was AstroBoy. Other favorite shows included Thunderball XL-7, Star Trek (the original series), Space 1999 and Lost in Space. These series inspired Gene to look upon the heavens with awe and wonder and challenged his imagination through conversation with others.
As a young adult, Gene attended Lakewood High School, in Lakewood, California and went onto Long Beach City College where he studied Jewelry and Marketing. Gene was actively involved with DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America) and won the 1976 National DECA Award for Sales and Marketing. This is when Gene met his best friend Richard Feinberg. Along with Richard, many other life-long friendships were made during the DECA-Days, where Gene's wacky sense of humor and "Gene-Jokes" broke the ice on many occasions. He along with his fellow DECA members traveled the United States throughout the years in mentoring and judging roles and helped other young students learn the sales and marketing skills needed today.
Gene started in Boy Scouts with Troop 35 which originated in Lakewood, CA at Temple Beth Zion Sinai (now Shir Chadash), back in 1979. Gene began as an Assistant Scoutmaster and very quickly assumed the leadership role as Scoutmaster. Throughout his 10+ years with Troop 35, Gene organized, orchestrated and led the troop through many events such as trips to the Goodyear Blimp, Las Vegas & the Hoover Dam, various community events, Memorial Day celebrations, etc. Gene also was assisted by various adult staff members who positioned themselves strategically alongside the scouts and created a cohesive and motivating troop spirit. Troop 35 took the Clean Sweep award at one of the bi-annual Boy Scout Camporee's and won every event but one which was a major event and knock-out for the scouts and troop. Gene also led the 1985 National Scout Jamboree Troop 858 which was comprised of scouts from Troop 35 and others in the Long Beach Area Council and two scouts from Australia. Gene's active leadership role in scouts helped mold the majority of those young men and the lessons learned are still engrained in each and every one of those scouts.
Throughout Gene's adult life his experience and expertise in credit and collections made him a regular at the credit managers meetings put on by the Reimer Group, a nationwide consortium of other professionals who work together and learn the business. Gene created Credit Jeopardy to help train others within the group and make them aware of credit practices of retailers to which they do business with. Gene always had a way of making something so mundane into something spectacular.
Gene's inspiration and guidance to others will never be forgotten as he leaves a legacy of talented and caring young individuals in his wake.
In March of 2006 Gene was diagnosed with kidney failure and began a two-year struggle with dialysis and the health related issues caused from his body and diet. Gene was a Type-2 diabetic and also had heart disease. Around 2004 Gene underwent a little cleaning of his arteries and unbeknownst to his medical staff, Gene was allergic to iodine. This event caused a chain-reaction which made his kidney's shut down to 5% each. In 2007 Gene was approved by the Mayo Clinic to be eligible for a kidney transplant. This meant that a donor kidney would be added to Gene's body so then he'd have (3). The search began… Mom was screened but due to her age, was not a candidate. Lisa, Gene's sister was also screened and was deemed not eligible. Gene's brother Alan was then screened and was not eligible. The hunt continued to Gene's best friend, Richard. After much finger crossing, testing and finally the medical results… Richard was eligible and was now Gene's last hope. Gene's nephew Derek named the donor kidney "Walt Kidney" and from that moment on, "Walt" was the topic of conversation and excitement. The surgery date was set for April 8, 2008…
Along with Gene's diet, lack of exercise, kidney problems and diabetes, his heart was just unable to keep up with the demand to remove fluid from his body. The iodine issue that began the domino effect took its toll on his system by making it work harder than ever. This unfortunate mishap caused his kidney's to fail and over the next couple of years, the stress on his body was too much. Gene succumbed to his heart failing in his sleep during the night of March 8th – 9th, 2008. Gene went peacefully and with no signs of pain or struggle. Gene was 51 years old.
Gene's willingness to help others, teach others and befriend others will never be forgotten. Gene will always be missed and there shall never be another like him.
(Thank you Lisa and Alan for Gene's bio.)
Eugene Lee Koenigsberg, born October 5, 1956 at Seaside Hospital in Long Beach, California to Herman and Rochelle Koenigsberg. Gene has two other siblings, Lisa Beth Finkelstein and Alan Jay Koenigsberg. Gene has a very favorite nephew, Derek Jay Koenigsberg to which Gene will never be forgotten.
From an early age, Gene was fascinated by space, astronomy and science fiction. His favorite cartoon as a child was AstroBoy. Other favorite shows included Thunderball XL-7, Star Trek (the original series), Space 1999 and Lost in Space. These series inspired Gene to look upon the heavens with awe and wonder and challenged his imagination through conversation with others.
As a young adult, Gene attended Lakewood High School, in Lakewood, California and went onto Long Beach City College where he studied Jewelry and Marketing. Gene was actively involved with DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America) and won the 1976 National DECA Award for Sales and Marketing. This is when Gene met his best friend Richard Feinberg. Along with Richard, many other life-long friendships were made during the DECA-Days, where Gene's wacky sense of humor and "Gene-Jokes" broke the ice on many occasions. He along with his fellow DECA members traveled the United States throughout the years in mentoring and judging roles and helped other young students learn the sales and marketing skills needed today.
Gene started in Boy Scouts with Troop 35 which originated in Lakewood, CA at Temple Beth Zion Sinai (now Shir Chadash), back in 1979. Gene began as an Assistant Scoutmaster and very quickly assumed the leadership role as Scoutmaster. Throughout his 10+ years with Troop 35, Gene organized, orchestrated and led the troop through many events such as trips to the Goodyear Blimp, Las Vegas & the Hoover Dam, various community events, Memorial Day celebrations, etc. Gene also was assisted by various adult staff members who positioned themselves strategically alongside the scouts and created a cohesive and motivating troop spirit. Troop 35 took the Clean Sweep award at one of the bi-annual Boy Scout Camporee's and won every event but one which was a major event and knock-out for the scouts and troop. Gene also led the 1985 National Scout Jamboree Troop 858 which was comprised of scouts from Troop 35 and others in the Long Beach Area Council and two scouts from Australia. Gene's active leadership role in scouts helped mold the majority of those young men and the lessons learned are still engrained in each and every one of those scouts.
Throughout Gene's adult life his experience and expertise in credit and collections made him a regular at the credit managers meetings put on by the Reimer Group, a nationwide consortium of other professionals who work together and learn the business. Gene created Credit Jeopardy to help train others within the group and make them aware of credit practices of retailers to which they do business with. Gene always had a way of making something so mundane into something spectacular.
Gene's inspiration and guidance to others will never be forgotten as he leaves a legacy of talented and caring young individuals in his wake.
In March of 2006 Gene was diagnosed with kidney failure and began a two-year struggle with dialysis and the health related issues caused from his body and diet. Gene was a Type-2 diabetic and also had heart disease. Around 2004 Gene underwent a little cleaning of his arteries and unbeknownst to his medical staff, Gene was allergic to iodine. This event caused a chain-reaction which made his kidney's shut down to 5% each. In 2007 Gene was approved by the Mayo Clinic to be eligible for a kidney transplant. This meant that a donor kidney would be added to Gene's body so then he'd have (3). The search began… Mom was screened but due to her age, was not a candidate. Lisa, Gene's sister was also screened and was deemed not eligible. Gene's brother Alan was then screened and was not eligible. The hunt continued to Gene's best friend, Richard. After much finger crossing, testing and finally the medical results… Richard was eligible and was now Gene's last hope. Gene's nephew Derek named the donor kidney "Walt Kidney" and from that moment on, "Walt" was the topic of conversation and excitement. The surgery date was set for April 8, 2008…
Along with Gene's diet, lack of exercise, kidney problems and diabetes, his heart was just unable to keep up with the demand to remove fluid from his body. The iodine issue that began the domino effect took its toll on his system by making it work harder than ever. This unfortunate mishap caused his kidney's to fail and over the next couple of years, the stress on his body was too much. Gene succumbed to his heart failing in his sleep during the night of March 8th – 9th, 2008. Gene went peacefully and with no signs of pain or struggle. Gene was 51 years old.
Gene's willingness to help others, teach others and befriend others will never be forgotten. Gene will always be missed and there shall never be another like him.
(Thank you Lisa and Alan for Gene's bio.)
From an early age, Gene was fascinated by space, astronomy and science fiction. His favorite cartoon as a child was AstroBoy. Other favorite shows included Thunderball XL-7, Star Trek (the original series), Space 1999 and Lost in Space. These series inspired Gene to look upon the heavens with awe and wonder and challenged his imagination through conversation with others.
As a young adult, Gene attended Lakewood High School, in Lakewood, California and went onto Long Beach City College where he studied Jewelry and Marketing. Gene was actively involved with DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America) and won the 1976 National DECA Award for Sales and Marketing. This is when Gene met his best friend Richard Feinberg. Along with Richard, many other life-long friendships were made during the DECA-Days, where Gene's wacky sense of humor and "Gene-Jokes" broke the ice on many occasions. He along with his fellow DECA members traveled the United States throughout the years in mentoring and judging roles and helped other young students learn the sales and marketing skills needed today.
Gene started in Boy Scouts with Troop 35 which originated in Lakewood, CA at Temple Beth Zion Sinai (now Shir Chadash), back in 1979. Gene began as an Assistant Scoutmaster and very quickly assumed the leadership role as Scoutmaster. Throughout his 10+ years with Troop 35, Gene organized, orchestrated and led the troop through many events such as trips to the Goodyear Blimp, Las Vegas & the Hoover Dam, various community events, Memorial Day celebrations, etc. Gene also was assisted by various adult staff members who positioned themselves strategically alongside the scouts and created a cohesive and motivating troop spirit. Troop 35 took the Clean Sweep award at one of the bi-annual Boy Scout Camporee's and won every event but one which was a major event and knock-out for the scouts and troop. Gene also led the 1985 National Scout Jamboree Troop 858 which was comprised of scouts from Troop 35 and others in the Long Beach Area Council and two scouts from Australia. Gene's active leadership role in scouts helped mold the majority of those young men and the lessons learned are still engrained in each and every one of those scouts.
Throughout Gene's adult life his experience and expertise in credit and collections made him a regular at the credit managers meetings put on by the Reimer Group, a nationwide consortium of other professionals who work together and learn the business. Gene created Credit Jeopardy to help train others within the group and make them aware of credit practices of retailers to which they do business with. Gene always had a way of making something so mundane into something spectacular.
Gene's inspiration and guidance to others will never be forgotten as he leaves a legacy of talented and caring young individuals in his wake.
In March of 2006 Gene was diagnosed with kidney failure and began a two-year struggle with dialysis and the health related issues caused from his body and diet. Gene was a Type-2 diabetic and also had heart disease. Around 2004 Gene underwent a little cleaning of his arteries and unbeknownst to his medical staff, Gene was allergic to iodine. This event caused a chain-reaction which made his kidney's shut down to 5% each. In 2007 Gene was approved by the Mayo Clinic to be eligible for a kidney transplant. This meant that a donor kidney would be added to Gene's body so then he'd have (3). The search began… Mom was screened but due to her age, was not a candidate. Lisa, Gene's sister was also screened and was deemed not eligible. Gene's brother Alan was then screened and was not eligible. The hunt continued to Gene's best friend, Richard. After much finger crossing, testing and finally the medical results… Richard was eligible and was now Gene's last hope. Gene's nephew Derek named the donor kidney "Walt Kidney" and from that moment on, "Walt" was the topic of conversation and excitement. The surgery date was set for April 8, 2008…
Along with Gene's diet, lack of exercise, kidney problems and diabetes, his heart was just unable to keep up with the demand to remove fluid from his body. The iodine issue that began the domino effect took its toll on his system by making it work harder than ever. This unfortunate mishap caused his kidney's to fail and over the next couple of years, the stress on his body was too much. Gene succumbed to his heart failing in his sleep during the night of March 8th – 9th, 2008. Gene went peacefully and with no signs of pain or struggle. Gene was 51 years old.
Gene's willingness to help others, teach others and befriend others will never be forgotten. Gene will always be missed and there shall never be another like him.
(Thank you Lisa and Alan for Gene's bio.)
