EUGENE RICHARD WEINSTEIN,
a World War II veteran, longtime entrepreneur and volunteer, outdoorsman, and much-loved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2020, at the age of 98. Known as Gene, Dad, Dee, Papa, and Uncle Eugene, his kindness, wisdom and patient personality profoundly impacted all who met and loved him.
Gene was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 20, 1921, and moved with this family to St. Louis, Mo., at the age of 13. He graduated from University City High, and was sworn in to the Army Air Force on his 21st birthday to begin three years of military service. A proud World War II veteran, Gene was selected for training as a cryptographer and sent to the South Pacific, where he spent much time in fox holes interpreting code guiding strategy as bombs exploded around him.
He carried the secrets of his country to his grave, but told the story of how the ship transporting him to his initial assignment was locked on and shot at by a Japanese submarine in the South Pacific. The chaplain came over the loudspeaker and read all aboard their universal last rites, but luckily, they survived.
After the war, Gene graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in accounting, then moved to Little Rock, Ark., to work in real estate. He served as president of the Little Rock Real Estate Association in a career that included operating an Earth Shoe store and joining his wife, Marilyn, at the Broadway Theater Series, which brought shows and musical acts to Little Rock’s Robinson Center. Gene and Marilyn also created Broadway Theater Tours to lead trips to New York for patrons to enjoy the city, with its dining and Broadway shows.
Gene also served as president of the Congregation B’nai Israel ,and was a docent at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, as well as an avid duck hunter, fisherman and boater.
Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Marilyn Back Weinstein; children, Steve Weinstein, Phillip Weinstein and wife Honey of Austin, Texas, Alice Weiss of Marietta, Georgia, and Keith Weinstein; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his beloved sister, Shirley Weinstein Cohen, his first wife, Faye Block Weinstein, and parents Ethel and Louis Weinstein.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no service is planned at this time. Donations can be made to Congregation B’nai Israel, 3700 N Rodney Parham Rd, Little Rock, Ark. 72212. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, ruebelfuneralhome.com