Gene Fredrick Koester passed away in Torrance on November 12, 2023. Gene was born to Fred and Ruby Koester in Concordia, Kansas, on October 12, 1940. A proud Kansan, he was raised on a farm, received a BSEE degree from Kansas State University in January 1963, and headed to Southern California to work in the aerospace industry. A few years later, he was at TRW Systems, working on the Lunar Module Abort Guidance System for the Apollo Program.
After 32 years, he retired from TRW in September 1997 and embarked on an impactful career in volunteer service. Gene was a member and supporter of the Torrance-Southbay YMCA and a member of the Torrance Y's Men Club. He held multiple leadership positions at the regional and U.S. area levels of the International Association of Y's Men's Clubs. He was an active member of Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, where he served as a Facility Manager and later as Construction Manager for a significant project that enhanced the overall church facility. Along with his wife, Patty, he supported the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro, California.
Gene married Patty Hayward Thompson on September 3, 1977, and became a second father to Steve and Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Loren. He is survived by his sister, Carol Stewart (Rolland), Claflin, Kansas; sister-in-law Norine Koester, Concordia, Kansas; as well as his wife Patty, Torrance, California; stepson Steve Thompson (Alexis), San Francisco, California; stepson Scott Thompson (Claudia), San Mateo, California; grandson Riley Thompson (Annie), Portland, Oregon; grandson Dylan Thompson, Berkeley, California; granddaughter Isabella Thompson, Cal State LA; and great-grandchildren Quincy and Fiona Thompson.
Memorial Services will be held Friday, November 24, 2023, at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM. Gene's remains will be buried in Nelson Cemetery, Cloud County, Kansas, which he cared for during the summers of his high school years.
Memorial donations may be made to Rolling Hills United Methodist Church and/or The American Cancer Society.
After 32 years, he retired from TRW in September 1997 and embarked on an impactful career in volunteer service. Gene was a member and supporter of the Torrance-Southbay YMCA and a member of the Torrance Y's Men Club. He held multiple leadership positions at the regional and U.S. area levels of the International Association of Y's Men's Clubs. He was an active member of Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, where he served as a Facility Manager and later as Construction Manager for a significant project that enhanced the overall church facility. Along with his wife, Patty, he supported the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro, California.
Gene married Patty Hayward Thompson on September 3, 1977, and became a second father to Steve and Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Loren. He is survived by his sister, Carol Stewart (Rolland), Claflin, Kansas; sister-in-law Norine Koester, Concordia, Kansas; as well as his wife Patty, Torrance, California; stepson Steve Thompson (Alexis), San Francisco, California; stepson Scott Thompson (Claudia), San Mateo, California; grandson Riley Thompson (Annie), Portland, Oregon; grandson Dylan Thompson, Berkeley, California; granddaughter Isabella Thompson, Cal State LA; and great-grandchildren Quincy and Fiona Thompson.
Memorial Services will be held Friday, November 24, 2023, at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM. Gene's remains will be buried in Nelson Cemetery, Cloud County, Kansas, which he cared for during the summers of his high school years.
Memorial donations may be made to Rolling Hills United Methodist Church and/or The American Cancer Society.
Gene Fredrick Koester passed away in Torrance on November 12, 2023. Gene was born to Fred and Ruby Koester in Concordia, Kansas, on October 12, 1940. A proud Kansan, he was raised on a farm, received a BSEE degree from Kansas State University in January 1963, and headed to Southern California to work in the aerospace industry. A few years later, he was at TRW Systems, working on the Lunar Module Abort Guidance System for the Apollo Program.
After 32 years, he retired from TRW in September 1997 and embarked on an impactful career in volunteer service. Gene was a member and supporter of the Torrance-Southbay YMCA and a member of the Torrance Y's Men Club. He held multiple leadership positions at the regional and U.S. area levels of the International Association of Y's Men's Clubs. He was an active member of Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, where he served as a Facility Manager and later as Construction Manager for a significant project that enhanced the overall church facility. Along with his wife, Patty, he supported the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro, California.
Gene married Patty Hayward Thompson on September 3, 1977, and became a second father to Steve and Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Loren. He is survived by his sister, Carol Stewart (Rolland), Claflin, Kansas; sister-in-law Norine Koester, Concordia, Kansas; as well as his wife Patty, Torrance, California; stepson Steve Thompson (Alexis), San Francisco, California; stepson Scott Thompson (Claudia), San Mateo, California; grandson Riley Thompson (Annie), Portland, Oregon; grandson Dylan Thompson, Berkeley, California; granddaughter Isabella Thompson, Cal State LA; and great-grandchildren Quincy and Fiona Thompson.
Memorial Services will be held Friday, November 24, 2023, at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM. Gene's remains will be buried in Nelson Cemetery, Cloud County, Kansas, which he cared for during the summers of his high school years.
Memorial donations may be made to Rolling Hills United Methodist Church and/or The American Cancer Society.
After 32 years, he retired from TRW in September 1997 and embarked on an impactful career in volunteer service. Gene was a member and supporter of the Torrance-Southbay YMCA and a member of the Torrance Y's Men Club. He held multiple leadership positions at the regional and U.S. area levels of the International Association of Y's Men's Clubs. He was an active member of Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, where he served as a Facility Manager and later as Construction Manager for a significant project that enhanced the overall church facility. Along with his wife, Patty, he supported the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro, California.
Gene married Patty Hayward Thompson on September 3, 1977, and became a second father to Steve and Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Loren. He is survived by his sister, Carol Stewart (Rolland), Claflin, Kansas; sister-in-law Norine Koester, Concordia, Kansas; as well as his wife Patty, Torrance, California; stepson Steve Thompson (Alexis), San Francisco, California; stepson Scott Thompson (Claudia), San Mateo, California; grandson Riley Thompson (Annie), Portland, Oregon; grandson Dylan Thompson, Berkeley, California; granddaughter Isabella Thompson, Cal State LA; and great-grandchildren Quincy and Fiona Thompson.
Memorial Services will be held Friday, November 24, 2023, at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM. Gene's remains will be buried in Nelson Cemetery, Cloud County, Kansas, which he cared for during the summers of his high school years.
Memorial donations may be made to Rolling Hills United Methodist Church and/or The American Cancer Society.
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