Eugene is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dawn (Schade) Heigl,  sister Mary (Heigl) Quast, sons James (Brenda) and Brian (Kathryn) Heigl, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gene loved sports and was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and camping. He played basketball in high school and continued playing semi pro ball for years after school. He also enjoyed bowling, playing in tournaments around the country, one year winning the B bracket of the Minneapolis Tribune Bowling tournament. For a decade Gene was a delivery truck driver for REA Express, until one winter day while walking a grandfather clock to the back of his truck to close to the truck’s tail, he slipped off the truck and landed on his back and the grandfather clock landed on top of him. The end result was multiple back surgeries and increasing chronic pain for the rest of his life. Unable to work he instead volunteered for various groups including the Boy Scouts as Scout Master and other posts. Gene was also a regular fixture at U of M sports where he volunteered behind the scenes at various sporting events for 50 years, usually working 60 or 70 games a year. Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 11 am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 11921 Nightingale Street, NW, Oak Grove. Visitation one hour prior to the Mass at Church. Interment St. Patrick's Cemetery.