Eugene Stephen Prockl

Eugene Stephen Prockl passed away peacefully at his home on March 9, 2019.

Eugene was born in Los Angeles, California, to Anna and Charles Prockl on August 29, 1929. He had one brother, Charles. Later his family moved to Alhambra, California, where he attended Mark Keppel High School. He joined the Merchant Marines in 1946. He was 17 and he discovered the world. He never lost his love of traveling and sailing. Eugene joined the U.S. Army in March, 1948, where he was assigned to the Engineering Test Team. He spent his winters in Fort Churchill on the Hudson Bay in Canada and summers in Yuma, Arizona, testing equipment, clothing and vehicles in extreme weather. In 1950, Eugene married his sweetheart, Katherine. He became a commercial refrigeration installer and repairman. He enjoyed his work and was very good at it. Through his work, he traveled to Mexico, Guam, the Philippines and Japan. Eugene spent many happy weekends repairing and riding his motorcycles, a hobby he shared with his boys.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Katherine, daughters Laurie and Jennifer, sons Stephen and Jeffrey, and five grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son, Bruce.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 4, at 10:00 am at St. Patrick of the Forest in Cave Junction. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Salvation Army, which was Eugene’s favorite charity.