Gene Walter Erwin

Gene Walter Erwin, longtime local resident, beloved teacher and sportsman, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2025 at Grande Ronde Hospital at the age of 95.

Gene was born on August 15, 1929 in Baker City, the only child of Walter and Ena (Landreth) Erwin.  After graduating Baker High School in 1949 (the 49ers class) he entered the US Air Force. He served in South Korea in munitions and supply.  Then he moved to La Grande to attend Eastern Oregon College (now EOU) where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. 

He taught math and science at La Grande Junior High School. Later, he spent the majority of his teaching career at La Grande High school in special education.  Upon retirement in 1987 he and a partner, Doug Barton, purchased and operated Alpine Archery.

Gene was married to Sandra Benson Erwin in 1966. She preceded him in death in 1971

Gene was a devoted member of Faith Lutheran Church in La Grande where he served on the board of elders. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, the La Grande Gun Club, the Grande Ronde Archery Club and the American Legion. He loved to play pool, 3 or more times a week in fact he played pool the day before his death. He and friends dined (taco night) every Wednesday.

He loved to hunt and fish, tie flies, and spend time in the outdoors. In his younger days he enjoyed tooling leather.  He also won the Oregon State archery championship in the 70's.

His surviving family are his children: Gena Haugen of Roy, Utah, Kathy Benson of Union, Shannon Garrison of La Grande, Alana Robocker of La Grande, Christopher Robocker of La Grande, Derek Erwin of Honolulu, Hawaii and Andrea Waibel of La Grande. He had nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a son Arlyn Erwin.

Contributions in memory of Gene Erwin may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 8th at 10:00 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church, 104 S. 12th Street, La Grande. Committal and interment will follow at the Grandview Cemetery.