RAPID CITY--One of the "Greatest Generation" has completed his mission; Eugene C. Fingerhut, 85, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, teacher, mentor, friend, combat veteran of two wars and a USD track star, died on Friday, January 22, 2010 while under hospice care at a local nursing home. Eugene was born on September 3, 1924, to Robert C. and Amanda H. (Schaefer) Fingerhut in Owatonna, MN. His childhood years were spent in Watertown, where he graduated from high school in 1943, and was drafted into the army immediately thereafter for World War II. He served as a US Army paratrooper in the 13th and 82nd Airborne (known as the "devils in baggy pants) and saw combat duty in the European Theater of operations. He made 13 combat jumps in France and Germany, many in front of Patton' s army into the prisoner of war camps. When WW II ended he attended University of South Dakota in Vermillion and received a BS degree in Physical Education and Vocational Arts in 1951. During his college years, Gene was outstanding in track, anchoring a winning mile relay team and medley team and running the quarter-mile. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Armed Forces Reserve and was recalled into the US Army immediately upon college graduation. He married his college sweetheart, Bonnie Anderson, in August 1951. Gene was assigned to Ft. Riley, KS, and saw combat duty in Korea with 160th RCT, 40th Division, specifically as a platoon leader on Heartbreak Ridge. He treasured the "thank you's" from his platoon for being a good officer and keeping them safe. Gene was a decorated combat veteran and received two Bronze Stars with cluster for meritorious achievement in both World War II and Korea. He also held the Korean War Service medal with 3 campaign stars, Combat Infantry Badge with star, and the United Nations Service Medal. At one time he was the only 1st Lieutenant at Ft. Riley to hold the position of Company Commander. Gene had a total of 17+ years of military service, 6 years on active duty and the remainder with the SD National Guard as a company commander, attaining the rank of Captain. Upon completion of his active army tour of duty in Korea, Gene worked for a year as a draftsman for Cessna Aircraft at Wichita, KS, while his wife, Bonnie, completed internship at St Francis Hospital. Gene then entered graduate school at USD and began to pursue his Master's degree in education. He coached and taught junior and senior high social studies in Madison, from 1956-1961. In the fall of 1961 he moved to Rapid City and began a long teaching career in the fields of social studies, history and architectural drafting at Central High School, later transferring to Stevens High School when that high school opened. Gene received his Master's Degree from USD in 1962 and attended fellowships in audio-visual education at University of Utah and Michigan State University, earning an additional 30 hours post Masters degree. He served as audio-visual coordinator at Stevens High. Gene was a dedicated teacher and many a student owes their desire to become draftsman, engineer, architect or contractor to Gene's love of drafting and architectural drawing. His teaching career in Rapid City spanned from 1961-1986 until he suffered a serious heart problem that caused his retirement at age 63. Gene was a life-member of SDEA, NEA, Masonic Lodge, Naja Shriners, BPO Elks, 82nd Division Association, Korean War Veterans Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 160th RCT (40th Div) Association, Canyon Lake Methodist Church, and Canyon Lake Senior Citizens Center. He was an avid sports fan especially track and field and football. For many years he did all the sports video taping for the Stevens High School. After retirement. Gene remained active doing his yard work and participating in "kibitzing" with friends. Gene was always the "most friendly and congenial" person, willing to help neighbors and friends. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bonnie and his cherished daughter. Lisa and son-in-law Philip, MD, Wagner, and four granddaughters, Jessica, twins Ashlee and Erin Wagner, and Shannon (John) Brown. He is also remembered fondly by his brother-in-law Gary (Arlene) Anderson, sister-in-law Mary (Fred) Rittberger, nieces Maren (Mike) Neises, Kelli (Bob) Clark, and Erika (Rob) Weberg, and nephew Chris Anderson. His parents, a brother Robert S., a special brother-in-law, Cliff J. Anderson and cousins Dick Solem and C.F. Jackson preceded him in death. A memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, from 6 until 7 p.m., with Masonic Rites at 7:00 p.m., at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28, at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, 3500 Canyon Lake Drive, with Rev. Eric Grinager and Rev. Rebecca Trefz officiating. Inurnment will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota Army National Guard. A memorial has been established to the USD Track and Field Scholarship Fund or a charity of the donors choice.