Eugene Allen Poechmann

Eugene Allen Poechmann, age 79, passed away unexpectedly on May 18, 2023.

Preceded in death by parents, Albert and Hattie (nee Dykstra) Poechmann; and sister-in-law, Valerie Poechmann.

Survived by his daughters, Debra (Dean) Hoffrogge and Sheila Poechmann; grandchildren, Ryan and Laura Hoffrogge; brothers, Greg and Mark; nieces, Tammy (Greg) Johnson and Lisa Poechmann; great nephew, Cole; great niece, Rachel Johnson; and other relatives and friends.

Gene was drafted into the Army in 1967 for the Vietnam Conflict. He was deployed to Vietnam where he served as a Supply Clerk until 1969. He received an honorable discharge in 1973. He was employed at Buckbee Mears before becoming an Amway Distributor.

Gene’s love of all things cars started at a young age. He graduated from Humboldt High School in 1961, and his yearbook stated, “The roar of an engine, a cloud of dust; Gene’s on his way.” He would go on to win many trophies for drag racing with his beloved ‘67 Chevy Chevelle Supersport (SS) and other cars. Over the years, many people came to know Gene due to their car needing repairs.

Gene became a dad of two daughters, Debra and Sheila. His daughters have many fond memories of the drag strip, boating/camping/water skiing down the Mississippi River, snow skiing at Lutsen Mountain Ski Resort (especially the Chinese fire drills on the way home). Gene taught his daughters how to ski race and Deb went on to win downhill racing medals. He took Sheila to Austria in 1982 for snow skiing. He also taught his daughters to play cards (Spades, 500, Hearts), dice and cribbage. He instilled his love of the outdoors with his daughters who went on to have their own outdoor adventures.

A big part of Gene’s life was being involved in outdoor activities. He was a member of several ski clubs, the Circle Pines Sno Goers, played tennis, and bowling. With the ski clubs he orchestrated many skiing adventures, both summer and winter. He won many downhill ski racing medals throughout his life including at Vail, Breckenridge, Giants Ridge, Snowcrest, Birch Park, Lutsen, Trollhaugen, Indianhead Mountain, Black Jack, Spirit Mountain, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Newport. His last ski tag was at Trollhaugen in March 2019. He also has trophies in tennis, snowmobiling and bowling. Later in life, he took up deer hunting. He was very competitive in anything he did including playing cards or cribbage.

Gene was well known in many circles and will be missed.

Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 21 from 4-7pm at the Lexington Park Building, 2131 Lexington Ave N., Roseville.