Eugene Franklin Hohlfelder

   Gene Hohlfelder, age 93, of Maumelle, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 30, 2023. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Gloria and his three children Barry (Barbara) of Savannah, Texas, Alan (Betsy) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Karen Washburn (Robert) of Albertson, North Carolina. Gene had four grandchildren, Erin, Kaylee, Ben and Cecilie and two great grandchildren, Bodee and Ava, whom he was very proud of and adored.
   Gene was born on July 8, 1929, in Glencoe, Illinois and grew up in suburban Chicago on his family dairy farm. He attended The Missouri School of Mines (Missouri-Rolla) and received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. In 1951, he started with his only employer, ALCOA, and moved to Benton Arkansas. He and Gloria were married in 1953 and started off on a lifelong adventure together. After a brief stint in the Army in Baltimore, they returned to Arkansas and he continued worked for ALCOA, with assignments in Paramaribo, Suriname; Port Lavaca, Texas; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Palestine, Texas; San Luis, Brazil, and finally returned to Arkansas where they started.
   After retiring from ALCOA after 40+ years, they settled in Maumelle. Gene was active at Second Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and volunteered with the “Over the Hill Gang” to work for Habitat for Humanity helping to build homes in Pulaski County. He was named a Habitat Hero after helping every week for over 30 years.
   In retirement, his two passions which he shared with Gloria were golf and travel. Together, Gene and Gloria traveled the world, visiting over 40 countries on six continents. They loved meeting new people, exploring new cultures, eating exotic foods, and just being goodwill ambassadors. One of Gene’s secrets to a long and happy life was making sure there was Happy Hour every day at 5:00 no matter where they were in the world!
   A memorial service is scheduled at Second Presbyterian Church on Friday May 5, at 3:00pm. A private family internment service will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County, https://www.habitat.org/ar/little-rock/hfh-central-arkansas. Arrangements entrusted by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home.