Happy Birthday, Gene East

[Original Looper 1]

Happy Birthday Gene!

For those of you that weren't racing back in the 1960's, Gene East was the "go to" guy for Quincy Welding.

Gene was a welder, machinist and also crew chief at the boat races for Quincy Welding for many years. He literally was the backbone of Quincy Welding during it's highly successful years.

The photo here was given to the QuincyLooperRacing.us web site by Charley Bradley. It is of Gene East as he was getting ready to "deck ride" in 2 man F Runabout for Wayne Walgrave.

To read Gene's racing autobiography, you can click on this link to his legends page on the QuincyLooperRacing.us web site.
http://quincylooperracing.us/subpage74.html

From the entire Christner family, have a great birthday Gene. Happy Birthday, big brother!

thanks,

Paul A Christner

[F-12]

From the other side of Florida. Hope you have a great one, and also hope by the evenings proceedings, you realize how many people care and look up to you for the role model you were and still are in our lives. Also hope you at least get to eat a little dinner..............Have fun.

[Bill Van Steenwyk]

Hi Gene:

Eileen and I hope your day was all that you wanted. I really didn't think you were quite as ancient as your birthday indicates. The years have been kind, now if they will just be gentle, you have it made.

B&E

[jeff55vDSH]

Happy Birthday Gene!

[David_L6]

Happy birthday Gene! Hope you have a great one.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

I just got off the phone with Gene to give him the happy birthday greetings and also got to talk with Art Neadeck and Jim Schoch.:cool: What a great bunch of guys.

[Gene East]

Thanks for all the greetings guys. As Wayne said, we had a great party.

Special thanks go to Charley Bradley for orchestrating the arrangements, although he did corrupt my son to the point of lying, "I don't know anything Dad".

Thanks to all who called at the restaurant. Ron Hill asked me to post some pix.

We'll do that tommorow when my son comes over and shows me how.

[Gene East]

Among those who called the restaurant to extend birthday wishes were Johnny and Liz Dortch.

Most BDOBR's know Liz has been in declining health for some time now. She has been quite reclusive during this period. Just to hear her voice was special indeed.

Her body is weak and as she says "wore out", but her mind seemed sharp and her voice was strong and clear. She asked me to tell all of her many friends in racing that she misses you and she loves you very much.

Please remember John and Liz in your prayers. They are among the last of a rare breed; pioneers in our sport, and both are truely "Legends of Boat Racing"!

[Frank Volker]

Gene,

I had full intentions of calling you yesterday evening during your birthday bash, and now I forget what it was that made me forget. Anyway, happy birthday to a fellow QW vet who I'm proud to call my friend.

Frank

[Skoontz]

Gene:

From one boat racing garbage man to another, belated, may you drink cold Budweiser can filled with Pepsi forever!

[Ron Hill]

Got the pix into the computer, but can't figure out how to attach to a post.

024 Art and Nancy Neadeack
026 Darin East (Middle Son)
032 The whole gang
033 Gene & Norma
034 Jim Schoch & Jean
035 Josh East & Marcia (Youngest Son)

054 & 055 Whiskey bottle received today from Lee Sutter.

Note the special label! Quincy Boat Club had a long history of sponsoring races on Quincy Bay, long before Twin Oaks.

Lee took special care to insure the bottle would not be broken in shipping. It arrived UPS next day air this afternoon. I saw the freight charges. We could have bought 2 bottles of Jack Daniels and a six pack of Bud Light for that money.

Thank you so much Lee!

Art is an officer in the Quincy Boat Club. I offerred the bottle to him on behalf of the club. They already have 2. ! full, 1 empty. This bottle goes in my trophy case.

If you look closely; you'll note the word genuine on the label is crinkled to where it says gene. I guess I'm supposed to keep it.

I'd love to know the history of how this bottle made the trip from Quincy to Seattle and back to Quincy.

Thanks again Lee

[Master Oil Racing Team]

.....Joe just told me today about that whiskey bottle that Lee sent to Gene. Now....you have posted a pic of it Ron.:cool: That is some history I never heard of. I would say to Lee Sutter....WAY TO GO DUDE!;):D. That caps off Gene's birthday the way I figure.

[Gene East]

I received a call from Marshall Grant Saturday afternoon. He had planned to call Friday night; but "Miss Etta" as all BDOBR's know Mrs. Grant, fell and fractured her hip.

"Miss Etta" is a true Southern Lady and we all wish her a full and speedy recovery.

"Racers for Christ" have her on their prayer list. I urge all her boat racing friends to remember "Miss Etta" in your prayers.

[Karen Cadle]

Uncle Gene,

The pictures are wonderful! I am so glad you had a great birthday. Many, many happy returns.


Paaaleaase tell me nobody else at the table heard my "lovely" atempt to sing happy birthday to you. :eek:

Will keep Miss Etta in my prayers. I often thank the Good Lord for her, Miss Liz, Papa Dortch, Marshall and all Ya'll... my only family left, but the best in the whole wide world! ---The BDOBR family members

Sis

[geodavid]

Gene,
I know that you had one of your best Birthdays! Coming up right after Sis to thank you for the pictures and friendship!! The bottle is GREAT, thanks to Lee.
alan