Share Eugene Savaiano's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Select your format and elements to print
Eugene Savaiano's Obituary
Dr. Eugene, "Gene", Savaiano age 96, passed away Friday, June 11, 2010.
Memorial service: Wednesday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m. at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E. Douglas. Reception to follow.
Gene was born December 15, 1913, in Osage City, Kansas. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from Emporia State Teacher's College and then taught Spanish, French and music at Sapulpa Junior College. He entered the Army in 1942 and served in Military Intelligence in the European theater, 1944-1946, retiring from the Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel. Gene began his career at Wichita State University in 1946 and became Head of the Spanish Department in 1947 (and later Chairman of the Romance Language Department). He completed his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1948 and married the love of his life, Geraldine "Jerry" Farr, in 1949.
Gene believed passionately in the value of communicating with people of other cultures. He dedicated his career to teaching foreign languages and training teachers from all over the U.S. to carry on this work. He was an innovator in combining academic study and immersion in a foreign culture. He directed eight National Defense Education Act Institutes for Spanish teachers in Wichita and Puebla, Mexico, from 1961 to 1969. Gene and Jerry founded the WSU Summer Program in Puebla, Mexico, which continues to this day. Gene was the Secretary-Treasurer of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese for ten years. He coauthored 2001 Spanish and English Idioms, which is still in print today. Throughout his career, Gene influenced and inspired thousands of students and teachers. He retired from WSU in 1984 and dedicated himself to travelling the world with Jerry and to gardening at his home, his church and Botanica. Gene had a remarkable ability to cultivate and enjoy friendships throughout his life. His family is grateful to the many friends who surrounded him.
He is survived by son Charles Savaiano of Carbondale, Colorado; daughter Nicky (Steve) Llamas of Wichita; son Tony (Peggy) Savaiano of Wichita; nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Memorials have been established at Botanica and East Heights United Methodist Church gardens. Please deliver all flowers to church.
Memorial service: Wednesday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m. at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E. Douglas. Reception to follow.
Gene was born December 15, 1913, in Osage City, Kansas. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from Emporia State Teacher's College and then taught Spanish, French and music at Sapulpa Junior College. He entered the Army in 1942 and served in Military Intelligence in the European theater, 1944-1946, retiring from the Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel. Gene began his career at Wichita State University in 1946 and became Head of the Spanish Department in 1947 (and later Chairman of the Romance Language Department). He completed his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1948 and married the love of his life, Geraldine "Jerry" Farr, in 1949.
Gene believed passionately in the value of communicating with people of other cultures. He dedicated his career to teaching foreign languages and training teachers from all over the U.S. to carry on this work. He was an innovator in combining academic study and immersion in a foreign culture. He directed eight National Defense Education Act Institutes for Spanish teachers in Wichita and Puebla, Mexico, from 1961 to 1969. Gene and Jerry founded the WSU Summer Program in Puebla, Mexico, which continues to this day. Gene was the Secretary-Treasurer of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese for ten years. He coauthored 2001 Spanish and English Idioms, which is still in print today. Throughout his career, Gene influenced and inspired thousands of students and teachers. He retired from WSU in 1984 and dedicated himself to travelling the world with Jerry and to gardening at his home, his church and Botanica. Gene had a remarkable ability to cultivate and enjoy friendships throughout his life. His family is grateful to the many friends who surrounded him.
He is survived by son Charles Savaiano of Carbondale, Colorado; daughter Nicky (Steve) Llamas of Wichita; son Tony (Peggy) Savaiano of Wichita; nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Memorials have been established at Botanica and East Heights United Methodist Church gardens. Please deliver all flowers to church.
To send flowers with our preferred florist or plant a memorial tree, please visit our flower store.
Eugene Savaiano's Guestbook
Visits: 3
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors