August 10, 1940 – March 16, 2025

Eugene “Gene” VanDePutte passed away at home on Lopez Island on March 16, 2025, with his wife, Renee, by his side. Born on August 10, 1940, to Charles and Elvee Van De Putte, Gene grew up as an only child on his family’s farm on Orcas Island.

Gene attended the University of Washington on an art scholarship but left school to pursue his love of flying which began early, building model airplanes and flying with his father. He performed in airshows with his Ryan PT-22 and flew commercially for Island Sky Ferries out of Friday Harbor which included medical evacuation flights. Later he worked as an aviation consultant, re-flying accidents and serving as an expert witness in court. His last flight was only months before he “flew west”.

Gene met the love of his life, Renee Stoner, on a double date. Ever the adventurer, he took her for a ride in his open-cockpit Ryan. Seated behind her with no intercom, Gene asked her to give a thumbs up if she liked the maneuver and a thumbs down if she didn’t. As he progressed from loops to rolls and other aerobatics, she kept giving a thumbs up—and they married on August 2, 1969.

Gene’s passion for aviation led him to establish Eagle Airlines, a commuter airline based in Port Angeles. However, in a bittersweet twist of fate, Eagle Airlines closed its doors on the same day in 1972 that their daughter, Faith, was born.

Undeterred by life’s unexpected turns, Gene and Renee embarked on a new adventure, moving aboard their 40-foot sailboat, Tally Ho, with their 6-month-old daughter. They sailed down the coast to California and attempted to cross the Pacific, but a severe storm damaged their steering, forcing them to turn back to Mexico. This twist of luck eventually led them north along the coast to Southeast Alaska, where they spent two years hand-trolling for salmon from their sailboat, wintering in Petersburg. Gene worked as an engineer building a bridge, running a tugboat, and acting as a relief skipper for Peter Schugren’s salmon tender, Cyprus.

In 1978, Gene and Renee sailed into Hughes bay on Lopez Island, where Gene had inherited land from his grandmother. They crafted their 900-square-foot home, whose hand peeled, varnished rafters still shine and Gene’s hand made doors swing true.

Inspired by his time as a relief skipper, Gene and Renee purchased the McClure Bay, an 80-foot salmon tender, in 1984. For 12 successful years, they tended salmon in SouthEast Alaska, where Gene combined his love of boats, adventure, and people. He was a natural tender skipper—gregarious and always ready to welcome fishermen aboard for a cup of coffee or a “snap”. Competitive and proud, he prided himself on the quality service he provided. In order to stay connected with fishing friends after retirement they bought a piece of beach property in Haines and had local craftsmen build a log cabin.

Gene loved planes, cars and boats. He rebuilt multiple airplanes, including a Piper Pacer, a Nanchang CJ-6, and an Aeronca Champ, and built many radio-controlled models. He found joy in driving his 1966 Mustang Convertible and turquoise 1967 Mustang.

Gene loved to gather, swap stories, and share a drink. His spirit of adventure, craftsmanship, and love for his family will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. He is survived by his wife Renee, daughter Faith and her husband David Bill, and a community of friends who will remember his laughter, his stories, and his unwavering passion for flight, boats, and life.