- Date Of Birth: April 25, 1931
- Date Of Death: December 19, 2011
- State: Michigan
CLYSDALE, Edward Gene “Gene” died Monday, December 19, 2011, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo. He was born Saturday, April 25, 1931, in Owosso, MI, the son of Lawrence and Margaret Purtill Clysdale. Gene moved to Kalamazoo in 1948 and has called Kalamazoo home ever since.
Gene attended WMU and was a member of Army ROTC. Upon graduation, Gene entered the US Army and served in Korea. He then entered the Army Reserves and retired in 1980 from the 415th Civil Affairs Battalion as a Colonel. Gene also returned to WMU to earn two Master’s degrees. He was a teacher and a librarian with the Kalamazoo Public Schools for over 30 years before retiring. On August 11, 1956, Gene was united in marriage with the former Barbara Kemble, who survives. Following marriage, he and Barbara enjoyed several years living in France where both taught military dependents. Gene loved Kalamazoo though and was proud to call this community his home. He was an avid conservationist, birder, gardener, builder, and lover of music and art. He was very involved with the community, including the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Macintosh User Group. He was a modest man and a mentor to many. Gene was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jack Clysdale.
Surviving are: his wife and two sons, Ned Clysdale and Matthew Clysdale of Kalamazoo; a grandson, Joshua Clysdale; two brothers, Patrick Marilyn Clysdale of Grand Rapids formerly of Kalamazoo, and Bill Clysdale of Seattle, WA; and many nieces and nephews.
