Allen E. Oswalt

August 1, 1924 - January 18, 2023

SAN DIEGO, CA — Allen E. Oswalt was born in El Centro, California on August 1, 1924, and passed away on January 18, 2023 at the age of 98 in San Diego, California. He will be remembered forever by his family, sons Ken, Roger, Randy and daughter Kristy, as well as 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He will be especially missed by his one and only wife of 74 years, Vera.

Better known as “Gene the Machine,” his accomplishments are many including his produce farming and brokerage endeavors which span North, South and Central America to as far-reaching as New Zealand and Hawaii. His military service in World War II, athletic prowess, family dedication and historical golf accomplishments gained his recognition as “Gene the Machine.”

Gene began working in the produce business as a bin boy at age 13 in the Imperial Valley, working 12-14 hours a day in the season, which started in May and ended in October. Beginning 1951 he worked his way up from the bottom as bin boy to inspector, buyer, grower, shipper, sales broker then ultimately partner and owner amongst various produce companies world wide. Gene was passionate and fascinated with the farming industry on all aspects and continued hands-on participation until retiring in his early 90’s.

Gene’s military service in World War II began in 1942, leaving his 2-year scholarship at University Southern California, to enlist in Notre Dame Navy Academy. Gene served as a Motor Mac on a PT boat in the South Pacific until 1946, when he was Honorably discharged with Victory Medal World War II, Good Conduct Medal.

Gene’s sports accomplishments span his entire lifetime beginning in Central Union High School in Imperial Valley as a 13-time Varsity letterman. He played quarterback for a CIF winning team, was named All League three years, played point guard on the Central basketball team, pole-vaulted and ran relays in track. In his senior year, he reluctantly played second base because the baseball coach begged him to be their second baseman. His batting average was .426, he led the league in stolen bases, led the team to the CIF championship, and was named All CIF second baseman. He held the pole-vaulting record at Central for eight years using a bamboo pole, and the record was broken only when they invented the modern fiberglass pole.

He was offered full ride scholarships from seven major universities in four different sports. USC and Oregon for football, Stanford and Cal for polevaulting, and San Diego State University for golf. And we cannot forget Oregon State and Duke for baseball, the sport he did not like. He ended up going to USC and started as a first-year quarterback and even competed on the diving team.

Gene is a renowned golfer and has his name etched on many a clubhouse. He played golf well into his 90’s. In fact, he once held seven course records in four different states.

Gene is a true Legend and will be deeply missed by his family most of all, and last by his competitors. Go... pops