Eugene Charles "Gene" Dropp

Eugene “Gene” Dropp, 80, passed away on January 3, 2021 due to complications of lung cancer. Gene was residing in Kansas City, Missouri at the time of his death. He spent most of his life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin until the deterioration of both his health and that of his wife, Mary, required a move closer to family members.

Born June 17, 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was the son of Edward Sylvester Dropp and Mary Ellen (Krumholz) Dropp. Gene was raised in West Allis, Wisconsin and graduated from both Marquette High School and Marquette University. He spent his entire career in the insurance industry. His employers included Milwaukee Insurance, John Deere Insurance and Sentry Insurance companies.

He was a dedicated Green Bay Packer fan. In the summer of 1959, it was Gene’s turn to purchase Packer tickets for games played at Milwaukee County Stadium. He ordered 6 tickets for each of 3 games but the ticket agent suggested that buying season tickets would be less expensive for him. He said, “Why would I do that?” The ticket agent replied, “The Packers have a new Head Coach coming from New York, Vince Lombardi. He’s supposed to be good.” Gene purchased season tickets that year and has had them ever since.

Gene was just 18 months old when WWII began. When asked if he remembered much about WWII he recalled that one day, when he was about 4.5 years old, he was walking down 84th Street in West Allis with his father and brother. Cars were honking their horns and people screaming and hanging out their car windows yelling, “The War is Over! The War is Over!” He remembered asking his father, “What’s a War?’”

Gene was an avid golfer. He could be found on the fairways of Edgewood Golf Course every Saturday and Sunday during his working years and then 4 days a week when he retired. If asked if he ever made a hole in one, he would answer, “I’m getting closer every time.”
Until Covid – 19 made it impossible for him to continue, Gene was a loving and dedicated caregiver for his wife, Mary, and walked arm and arm with her through her continuing struggle with dementia. Gene will be remembered as a loving husband and father, with a smile that could light up a room and a kind and loving heart.

Gene is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Gorham Dropp, daughters, Amy Willadsen (Joshua) of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Aubrey Hall (Michael) of Kansas City, Missouri, granddaughter, Anastasia Willadsen, and brothers Edward of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Michael of Nashville, Tennessee. Gene is also survived by his nieces and nephews, friends, and former neighbors who viewed Gene as family.

He was predeceased by his parents.

A visitation will be held from 9-10am on Saturday, January 9th with a private service to follow, both at Speaks Suburban Chapel, Independence, MO. Service will be viewable on this website by end of the day on Saturday.

An inurnment and reception will also be held in Milwaukee, WI at a later date.