His Obituary: January 9, 1924 - December 7, 2017
Guiher “Gene” Greenwood, great-grandson of Eli Cox, was born Jan. 9, 1924, in Winterset (Madison County), Iowa, and died in Savannah, Ga., on Pearl Harbor Day 2017, which seems very fitting. As a 17-year-old high school senior, he enlisted the day after that infamous event, along with so many others. That decision set the course for his life. As a member of the Army Air Corps/ Air Force, Gene flew in WWII (B-17, the Flying Fortress), the Berlin airlift (C-47/cargo), Korea (C-47) and Vietnam (C-7 Caribou). Returning to Winterset after WWII, Gene married his hometown sweetheart, Frances Howard. Together they traveled the world, moving every few years. After Gene graduated from George Washington University’s Advanced Management School in 1961, he was involved in developing and financing the Atlas Space Program and eventually became the Vice-Comptroller of the Air Force. After 33 years of active duty, Gene retired but was soon hired by Florida Institute of Technology at Jensen Beach to put their finances in order. He and Frances built a home in Stuart, Fla. Very active in civic, community and charitable organizations, Gene was honored as Martin County Volunteer of the Year. He also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Indian River Community College, was a member of the Quiet Birdmen, and played the trumpet in a local dance band like he had done as a young man in Iowa. Frances died in late 2003, and Gene moved to Monticello, Fla., in 2005. After a fall this October and a hospital stay in Tallahassee, Gene, his son Bill and daughter Lynn took their last road trip to a rehab hospital in Savannah to be near Bill and his family. The last few months were a time to be with family and to prepare Gene for a “soft landing.” Gene is survived by Lynn Friscia (Jim), Bill (Keli) and six grandchildren.
The Colonel, as he was often called, will be buried next to Frances in Winterset, Iowa. There will be a celebration of their lives this spring in Winterset.
Source: Winterset Madisonian, Wednesday, December 13, 2017 (photo included)
