I don't think I can say that I KNEW Gene, but I had the honor of meeting him several times, and even of being invited to his and Jackie's home for dinner with Dick Pencek, back in 2011 when I was in the US doing research. And when I was last in Pennsylvania, last May, he came to Dick's wine and cheese and salmon dinner, and he was also with us when we went to brunch. It seems a bit presumptuous of me to try and "sum up" Gene in a couple of words, but I will try to give my impression: very kind, very wise -- but also with a twinkle in his eye that suggested a lot of mischievousness -- and very humble (and since "humble" sounds like "mumble" I will say, too, that I sometimes found him difficult to understand: but that must be because I am French -- mind you, John Romano did pull his leg a lot about that, mm?). I am so glad that I took those pictures back in May, especially the one where he is sitting like a patriarch with a glass of wine in his hand on Dick's patio. Adieu Gene! I hope you enjoy your time in the afterlife like you (obviously) enjoyed Dick's dinners. Brigitte