A Life Well-Lived
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carl Gene Penzel on November 20, 2018, former beloved president and owner of Penzel Construction Co., Inc. Born in Jackson, Missouri on January 10, 1934 to Carl L. and Mettie Penzel, Gene would go on to live a full and meaningful life with a focus on service to others.
The Early Years
Gene was a 1951 graduate of Jackson High School. He completed a one-year pre-engineering program at Southeast Missouri State before enrolling in the engineering program at the University of Missouri, Rolla. In 1955, Gene earned his Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering degree and, shortly thereafter, became a Professional Engineer.
After graduation, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He then enrolled in advanced flight training in Kingsville, Texas, where he would become the first student to be instructed in jet aircraft. He was a distinguished naval aviator who went on to become a naval flight trainer in Pensacola, Florida. He instructed future naval pilots in fighter tactics, instruments, cross-country navigation, bombing, gunnery, and aircraft carrier qualifications. Gene served honorably from 1955-1959, achieving the rank of lieutenant.
A Career of Service
In 1959, Gene joined his father Carl at Penzel Construction Co., Inc. The commercial construction company had been founded in 1910 by Gene’s grandfather, Linus Penzel, and Gene had worked there part-time during summers and after school since he was 15 years old. In 1981, having worked in many different capacities, Gene bought the company from his father and went on to lead Penzel Construction through 15 years of growth. Dozens of landmarks throughout Jackson and Cape Girardeau were constructed by Gene and his family. In 1996, his son Philip stepped into the role of company president. Gene retired from Penzel Construction Co., Inc. in 2002.
Gene’s service to the community was unmatched. He was the past-president of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Missouri and was the past-president of the SEMO Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers. He was also the past-president of the SEMO Contractors Association as well as the Jackson Industrial Development Co. He was a member of the President’s Advisory Council, Varco-Pruden Buildings International. He served as secretary of the Greater Cape Industrial Park Sewer District. Gene also served as commissioner on the SEMO Regional Port Authority.
In his hometown of Jackson, he served as an Alderman. He served on the Jackson Power, Light and Water Committee and the Jackson Park Committee. He helped the Jackson Library Committee and Park Committee raise needed funds and assisted the City with a $750,000 bond issue for additions to the local water and sewage treatment plant.
Gene was instrumental in helping to develop the Seabaugh Industrial Tract which includes ARI, Midwest Sterilization, and Coca-Cola Bottling Co. He served on the committee to bring Lee Rowan Co. to Jackson, and he worked to bring many industries to the region, including Signature Paper and Packaging.
He was a member of the following organizations:
SEMO Contractors Association
SEMO Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers
Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Missouri
Jackson Industrial Development Co.
Academy of Civil Engineering, University of Missouri, Rolla
Cape Industrial Recruitment Association
Jackson Chamber of Commerce
Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce
Rotary International
Jackson Heritage Association
St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad
Golden Alumni, Missouri School of Mining/University of Missouri, Rolla
Pi Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, UMR
Gene was named to the Who’s Who In The Midwest List in 1966, and the Who’s Who In The World List in 1991 and 1992. He was the recipient of the 1968 Jaycee Distinguished Service Award and the 2002 R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award. In 1984, Gene was awarded the Construction Professional Development Award from the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). In 1996, he received The Sam Walton Business Leader Award as well as the Mississippi Valley Family Business of the Year Award.
Gene was a life-long member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ and served the congregation as secretary of the church, secretary of the Finance Committee, and president of the Young Couples’ Club. Gene served on the church Centennial Committee, was co-chairman of the Corn Boil Committee and also served as treasurer of the Sunday School.
Gene was an Eagle Scout with Troop 11 in Jackson, Missouri. As an adult, he helped interview and review the applications of Eagle Scout candidates. He also helped evaluate and estimate the cost of improvements to the Boy Scout Camp. Gene also served as a Boy Scout Master.
Always Striving for Greatness
A life-long pilot, he received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in recognition of 50 years of continuous safe flight operations.
Gene was an accomplished athlete having finished in 6th Place in the 1995 Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii and 9th Place in the 1996 Ironman Triathlon. In 1995, he was ranked 6th in the nation for the 60-64 age group. He was honored in 1996 to carry the Olympic torch through his hometown of Jackson.
He was the owner of Pinecrest Azaleas, a 52-acre azalea garden between Oak Ridge and Millersville. Gene continued the hobby his parents began by tending to the gardens and opening them up to the public every spring since the 1970s.
“Dad will be sorely missed by his family, friends, neighbors, and business associates. But we can all rest easy having known this great man and having witnessed a life well-lived,” notes his son, Phil Penzel.
Gene is survived by his wife Linda Marie Riney-Wilson, children Philip (Sandy) Penzel, Chris Penzel, Jim (Lisa) Schaumburg, and Kimberly Wilson; grandchildren Andrea (Justin) Gorman, Allison (Adam) Grant, Connor Penzel, Courtney Penzel, Caitlynn Schaumburg, Chelsea Schaumburg, Sterling McCarroll, and Hyland McCarroll; and great-grandchildren Rhett Grant and Leo Gorman. He is also survived by his twin sister, Carole Jane Hebenstreit.
ABOUT PENZEL CONSTRUCTION
At Penzel, we are always innovating and finding ways to help our clients achieve their goals—through design-build construction delivery systems, competent trained employees, and state-of-the-art equipment and techniques.
We have come a long way in the last century and we intend to be here doing what we do best for many decades to come.
