Smith, Eugene Allison "Gene"
House 1971-72 (District 22A)
Party when first elected: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Counties Served:
Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Yellow Medicine
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
10/17/1922
Birth Place:
Montevideo, Minnesota
Birth County:
Chippewa
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
3/23/1980
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Lutheran
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
Gene
City of Residence (when first elected):
Montevideo
Occupation (when first elected):
Farm Owner and Operator
EDUCATION
Montevideo High School; Secondary; Graduate, May 1940
University of Minnesota; Attended College;
St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota; Attended College;
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Military:
United States Army Air Force (World War II, China-Burma-India);
1942 to 01/1946
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Lois Berdahl (married in June, 1946)
Children:
Four children: Lawrence and Dewitt (sons), Melissa and Jennifer (daughters)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
He ran unsuccessfully as a Conservative candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 1972 election. His opponent, Harry W. Peterson, defeated him by 162 votes so a recount occurred. Eugene A. Smith stopped the recount before it was finished since he determined it wouldn't change the outcome.
He received the United Service Organizations (U.S.O.) Certificate of Appreciation for entertaining in overseas military hospitals in 1969.
He was the Chair of the Chippewa County Library Board.
He died from a heart attack at a hospital in Peoria, Illinois where he was performing as a member of the Gay Nineties Quartet. His funeral was held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo, Minnesota. he was buried in Sunset M-emorial Cemetery.
Religion provided by his obituary.
Body:
House
District:
22A
Elected:
11/3/1970
Residence:
Montevideo
Term of Office:
1/4/1971 to 12/31/1972
Counties Represented:
Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Yellow Medicine
Occupation:
Farm Owner and Operator
Party:
Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Committees:
-
Commerce and Economic Development
-
Environmental Preservation
-
Financial Institutions
-
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
-
Governmental Operations
-
Local Government
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.
No other information has been entered for this legislator.