Born August 20, 1924 in Aberdeen, Washington, son of Emory and Jessie Troyer. After graduating from Weatherwax High School in 1942, Gene enlisted in the Army Air Corps during WWII and attended Spartan School of Aeronautics where he graduated 2nd in his class. Gene served as Flight Engineer and earned the rank of Technical Sergeant before his Honorable Discharge from the 85th Army Air Force Base Unit in December of 1945 at Randolph Field Texas.
After Gene’s military service, he worked as an aircraft mechanic, tabulating machine service technician and experimental machinist before relocated to Palo Alto, California in 1955 where he set up the Tooling Fabrication at Shockley Semiconductor.
Joined Fairchild Semiconductor in 1957 as Head of Tooling Fabrication and in 1961 joined four Ph.D.’s in the founding of Amelco Semiconductor (Teledyne) as Operations Manager.
In 1967 Gene co-founded Industrial Modular Systems serving as Vice-President and General Manager; manufacturing semiconductor processing equipment until merging with GCA Corporation in 1971. Gene started consulting in 1973 setting up “turnkey electronic research and manufacturing plants” before retiring in 1986.
Gene and wife Margery, of 53 years, relocated to Springfield, Oregon in 1994 where he was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, an antique automotive enthusiast with the EEVAC Automobile Club and served as Docent at the Oregon Air and Space Museum in Eugene, Oregon and loved to play golf every week.
In June 2016, Gene moved to Buda, Texas and became a member of the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing in San Marcos, Texas and volunteered in the museum’s gift shop. He was also a member of the Onion Creek Senior Center in Buda, Texas where he enjoyed playing dominos and socializing with friends.
Mr. Troyer passed away Sunday, July 16th in Austin, Texas preceded in death by his wife Margery, brother Emory and sister Doris.
Surviving are daughters Tara Troyer, Susan McAdams, Son in Law Patrick McAdams, four grandchildren, Geoff Pearson, Emily Pearson Garza, Joel Pearson, Dana Pearson, step-granddaughter Angel McAdams Prescott, four great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorial service will be held Saturday August 12, 2017 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2200 Coburg Road, Eugene, Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.
