Eugene Horcher

Gene Horcher Obituary Gene, as his friends fondly called him, was born on September 17, 1937, in Chicago. His father was an auto mechanic, his mother a housewife. Gene was the oldest of three children: a brother Leonard preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister Janet, several nieces and nephews, and special friend Francoise Johnson. Gene graduated from Lane Tech High School and served in the IL National Guard from 1956-64. He obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. For thirty-five years he worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Illinois Dept of Human Services, assisting people with physical and mental disabilities to obtain gainful employment. Gene said that at one point, he had 1,000 clients in wheelchairs. Gene was a pillar of his church, the Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, which he first joined in 1993, serving on the church's board from 1999-2001. Gene grew up in a Catholic home but became active in a local chapter while attending college, which began his lifelong affiliation with Unitarian Universalism. He was very active in the Social Action Committee at Second Unitarian Church, and other UU-related organizations in the Chicagoland area. He was also active with several northside organizations: The Lakeview Action Coalition, People’s Church of Chicago’s “Two L’il Fishes” Program, The Fiscal Reform Group, Jane Addams Seniors Caucus, and Hollywood House Tenants Association. A respected activist, Gene served with endless energy, great intellect, and heartfelt generosity. Gene was honest, direct, and positive. He was a clear thinker and a forceful speaker always speaking truth to power. Gene was a kind person, concerned about the lives of others. He was loyal to his friends and his family. He loved to work out at the local YMCA with several male friends. He enjoyed nature, walking, running, traveling, reading, and watching historical movies and documentaries. He loved debating issues at the College of Complexes, a weekly free-speech forum on social issues and current events. Gene enjoyed watching daily sunrises over the lake in his northside apartment and restful suburban-like weekends at his special friend Francoise’s southwest side home. Gene experienced several diseases of the eye resulting in impaired vision in mid-life and blindness in his later years. In mid-life he developed a retinal disease that was treated with laser therapy. In later years he developed glaucoma, blindness, and a loss of independence. Gene donated his body to science through the Anatomical Gift Association. A Celebration of Life is being held Sunday, March 23, 3pm at Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, 656 W. Barry, Chicago, 60657. Gene Horcher’s Ten Commandments 1. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 2. Seek the truth and tell the truth wherever and whenever possible. 3. Seek the good and follow it once you know it. 4. Preserve and respect all life and the environment whenever and wherever possible. 5. Acknowledge and (where possible) honor your past and your heritage. 6. Love humanity, including yourself. 7. Work for freedom and equality, balanced with justice for everyone. 8. Follow rules and laws whenever and wherever possible. If you cannot in good conscience do so, seek to change them or break them openly and be prepared for the consequences. 9. Forgive us (you-me-them) our trespasses but hold us responsible for our behavior. 10. Look for the beauty in all things in all times and in all situations. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-370-2959 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.

Eugene Horcher

September 17, 1937 - March 1, 2025