W. Eugene Werner

W. Eugene (Gene) Werner, Ed. D., Topeka, died Friday May 30, 2014. Born May 7, 1931 in Paxico, Kansas, Gene was married to Marilyn J. Buchmeier. She survives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Carl and Rose Marie Werner, 8 siblings, and grandson John Aldridge III. Other survivors include a son, Matthew, (Julie) Topeka; four daughters, Michelle Lucy, (Wayne) Longmont, CO, Stephanie Aldridge, (John) Lafayette, CO, Kim Pruitt, (Steve) Wichita, and Rachel LaHue, (Colby) Mission Hills; two sisters, Vi Bien and Rosemary Simons, of Topeka; 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Soon after graduating from Paxico High School, Gene played professional baseball as a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies Class C Farm Organization Salina Bluejays. In 1952 he married a beautiful red head, Marilyn, who he claims changed his life "for the good". He served as a Commissioned Officer in the U. S. Air Force for three years attaining the rank of Captain. Following his military service he was a teacher, coach, counselor and administrator in Kansas secondary schools for 9 years. He was also an Accreditation Specialist with the Kansas State Department of Education and North Central Accreditation. He received a B. A. Degree from Washburn University, (1955), an M. S. Degree, (1964), and an Ed. D. Degree (1970), from the University of Kansas.

Following his earlier years in education, he served as Chairman and Professor of four different Departments in School Administration and Curriculum and Instruction at Emporia State University for 26 years before retiring in 1996.

Gene received a variety of awards throughout his career including the Governor's Award for Distinguished Service to Secondary Education in Kansas and was cited for his distinguished professional service by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In 1990, he was selected to membership in Who's Who in American Education. Dr. Werner was most active in the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals serving as a member of its Board of Directors for 24 consecutive one-year terms. Upon his retirement, a Distinguished Service Award for deserving KASSP members was established in his honor and presented annually to the Kansas principal showing the greatest contribution and most distinguished service to the profession. In addition, the Kansas North Central Association of Secondary Schools presented him with a Golden Apple award for his contributions to education over his lifetime.

But more important than his professional achievements, Gene will always be remembered as a humble, kind and supportive husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Cremation is planned. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 5th at Christ the King Catholic Church in Topeka. A visitation will be held Wednesday, June 4th from 6-8 p.m. at Dove Cremation and Funeral Service in Topeka. A Rosary will be recited at the beginning of the visitation. Private burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Newbury, Kansas later that afternoon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Heart of America Chapter, 4125 SW Gage Center Drive, Suite LL-15, Topeka, KS 66604.