Birth date: Jul 21, 1933 Death date: Jul 20, 2009
Gene Chamberlin, 75, of Ames died on July 20, 2009 at the Green Hills Care Center after battling Parkinson's disease for several years. Services will be at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, July 29 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Read Obituary
I can't tell you all how much joy and comfort your memories of my dad are giving to my mother, brother and me. We all read and appreciate your comments. Thank you so much for taking the time to share them.
When I'm missing my dad most, I read this page, and I feel much better. This system doesn't provide us a way to know your e-mail addresses or reply individually, but thank you, thank you!
Gene was the first publisher I worked for in the newspaper business - I learned a lot from him. We would later work together in financially salvaging a publication and that's where I really learned a lot from him. I can recall being so polarized at times that I simply couldn't make a move. And his advice always stuck with me...."in times like this, do something. Even if it's wrong. Make a decision and go."
Great advice (I have discovered) for most all things, really.
I will always remember him.
He was a newspaper man. The real deal.
Francie Ganje
Sturgis, SD
I have many Mobridge memories of Gene, Margy, and their children. They were active members of our church, and Steve was a good buddy of my brother, Rog. Those were such good years, and the Tribune was a great paper. As an aspiring journalist (at the time), I was fortunate to have such a tremendous model for how a community newspaper should be run. (Frankly, no other paper I've regularly seen since has measured up!) And that was all Gene, and his skills, not just journalistic, but managerial. He hired good people, and everyone who worked for him seemed to do very good work. But my most vivid memory now is of interviewing Gene for an article in the high school paper, Tiger Tales. I was intimidated at the prospect, but remember only an easy and informative conversation. Hmmm . . . I'll bet I can find that article somewhere. I'd like to see what I thought of Gene then, because I know what I think of him now, with the perspective of 40+ years -- he was, as so many other have said, a quiet man, but a man of deep integrity and tremendous ability. I feel privileged to have known him (and his family). All of you are in my prayers.
My deepest sympathy to Margy, Cathy & Steve. Gene hired at the Tribune in 1977 - my first "real" job. Becoming involved in newspapers was a learning experience for me, and Gene was a good boss. The Tribune was a family business for the Chamberlin's, Margy setting type, Cathy working in front and Steve harassing by all the other employees. Looking back I can see that he did so many things right, and because of it he was sucessful. Gene truly understood the importance of newspapers in our society and took opportunities to share that belief with his employees, readers and friends.
I credit a large portion of who I am professionaly to Gene Chamberlin. He hired me at the Mobridge Tribune when I was 21, a wife and mom of two little girls, looking for employment. Both Mr. Chamberlin, Larry Atkinson and Dave Dekker helped me to become an outgoing, confident person who went on to work for a large manufacturing firm in the North Dakota and also runs and owns a rental company. My favorite memory of Gene is when there would be a error or mixup with the Tribune the first thing he would say is "How can that be". Rest in Gene, you were a great man. Margy, Cathy and Steve, take care.
Mary and Steve:
Thinking of you both at this time of loss. As I read his obituary and the tributes people have written, Gene was indeed a remarkable man and left a legacy through the many lives he touched through his passion and commitment to journalism and molding others in this field.
I will be forever grateful, Gene, for your mentoring, guidance and friendship. I cannot help but smile as I recall so many moments shared with you, whether it was in the Tribune newsroom, a Yeager Hall classroom, or your home. I pray that fond memories bring great comfort to Margy, Steve and Mary, Cathy, Doug and Sarah. Peace be with you.
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d _ Unknown
I count Gene and Margy Chamberlin among the most important people in my life \u00e2\u20ac“ people who helped mold me into the adult I ultimately became. I was honored to be chosen as the Mobridge Tribune intern for the summer of 1985. I had arranged to sublease an apartment, but it wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be available for several weeks. So, Gene and Margy graciously took me into their home. It was the start of a treasured friendship and a lifelong respect for Gene and Margy as individuals \u00e2\u20ac“ and for Gene and Margy as a couple.
Gene taught me the importance of community newspapers and how to produce one each week. I can still almost feel my disbelief and disappointment when he calmly, but firmly, told me we couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t print any of the photos I had shot at the powwow in Little Eagle because I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t taken the time or made the effort to identify the subjects in my photos. Lesson learned \u00e2\u20ac“ the hard way. There were many more yet to learn. All were valuable and all of them helped shape who I became as a journalist and as a person.
In their home, Gene and Margy modeled respect, love and a genuine appreciation for and friendship with one another. They, along with Cathy and Steve, included me in their family life. The day I drove my 1972 Ford Galaxy 500 east out of Mobridge to head back for my senior year at South Dakota State University was difficult, to say the least. Three times between Mobridge and Redfield, I had to pull over to the side of the road because I was crying so hard I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see.
I was blessed to maintain my friendship with the Chamberlins and even more blessed to have them living in Brookings when my husband, Dave, and I moved back there in June 1995. I started graduate school at SDSU and of course, I took Gene\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s newspaper management class. It was great fun and again there were many lessons learned. Gene and Dave golfed in a league together. And, when Gene and Margy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s granddaughter, Sarah, would come to visit, she enjoyed pulling our young sons, Will, and Beau, in their wagon.
Henry David Thoreau said: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let your life speak.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gene did just that. His legacy lives on in journalism, in the countless journalists he spawned and supported, and in his friends and family. I know that Margy, Steve and Mary, Cathy, Doug and Sarah will be forever proud.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to each of the family members. May God comfort them during their time of sorrow. My memories of Gene are from Mobridge where Steve and I were friends in high school. He has truly touched a lot of lives with his work and efforts.
Remembering the wonderful visits from Gene and Margy to your Canadian family. Sending our love to you all.
