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DECEASED ALUM: GENE STROBEL, FHHS CLASS OF 1974
Gene Strobel, FHHS '74, passed October 11th, 2025 at Alexandria Hospital. He was 69.
Gene was suffering from lung cancer and congestive heart failure with few symptoms which delayed his diagnosis. His passing was very quick. He was placed on hospice by the hospital staff and passed with his closest relatives by his side.
A Church Service will be held Saturday, October 18th at 11:00 am at Aldersgate Methodist Church at the corner of Fort Hunt Road and Collingwood Road. Gene was a member of the church since he was a child. A reception will be held at Cedar Knoll on the GW Parkway after the service.
Gene is survived by his older brother, Russell aka Russ (FHHS '71). The two Strobel Brothers had an extraordinary bond and were best friends for life. Gene is also survived by his sister-in-law, Pam McKinney Strobel (FHHS '73) and other relatives both in the DC area and in North Carolina.
Gene was a musician who drummed with dozens of bands in hundreds of venues. He once told me "I've played every Moose Lodge within 300 miles of Alexandria." And he may have. Gene was a retail drum salesman, office worker and Executive Administrator with a Top Secret Clearance where he worked for Defense and Homeland Security firms in the Washington, DC area. He never married.
The Strobel household was a welcoming place for Fort Hunt students as Gene and Russ' parents, Joe and Evelyn, encouraged 'the young people' to spend time - safely - at their home in Stratford on the Potomac. Gene eventually became the owner of the house on Wakefield Street and the home continued to be a gathering place for Fort Hunt Alumni.
- Joe Gililland, FHHS '73 and longtime friend of Gene Strobel
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Margaret Sewell "Susie" White (1974)
I am so saddened to learn of Gene's passing.
I started out in Stratford on the Potomac on Greylock Street (Easter 1956) and Gene and I would have grown up together playing hide and seek, sledding on the neighborhood hills and going to one another's birthday parties - this would be before we started first grade at Waynewood.
I moved away from Virginia, married and started my family in Nova Scotia. For many years I would go home to visit my parents - we moved from Greylock Street to Stratford Lane - and I was just around the corner from Gene on Wakefield. On my trips home I would always pop down to see Gene and I so enjoyed our visits at the kitchen counter, we covered alot of ground over the years. My mom and dad are both gone now and we sold the family home on Stratford in 2024 - I miss going home for many reasons and now I have one more person to miss; but, I am so very grateful to have known Gene my entire life and to have called him my friend.
I can say unequivocally Gene was one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever known in my life - which is now nearly 70 years. I will never forget him and I will hold him fondly in my heart forever.
My sincere condolences to Russ, Pam and your son and daughter, I am so very sorry for your loss. I have to say to Joe Gililland I am thinking of you and this has to be really tough - please know how much I appreciated your friendship with Gene, everyone would be blessed to have such a bond and know such friendship.
Russ, I like to think of Gene in this moment with your mom and Spot watching your dad performing some of his magic tricks - and laughing, my God he could make me laugh and he was always kind enough to really laugh at my humor, he really was a generous person and I will miss him.
Heartbroken in Nova Scotia,
Susie White
Donald Lee "Don" Hammack (1974)
I am shocked and very sad to hear of Gene's passing. I don't get back to Alexandria often, but just spent time with him at the 50 year reunion and he seemed in fine health and spirit. I lived on Westfield Street and we played together often. Gene and I share the same birthday, June 8, and with many of the same friends it was always a challenge for our mothers to schedule the birthday parties.
Truly one of the nicest people I have known. Seems like he was always smiling.
My sincere condolences to Russ and family. Don Hammack.
Keith Fitz McCrea (1974)
One of the most pleasant fellows you will have ever met, Gene was a classmate at Stratford Landing in the mid 60's as well as, of course, Fort Hunt in the mid 70's. Gene was the guy you would want living next door - - - until that drum set became active. :) Gene's personality exhibiting being honorable, courteous and genuinly caring were foremost. Just a "really solid dude". I reckon society could use a mega-dose of the Gene Strobel personality right about now. Happy Trails Gene!
Keith McCrea
Katherine Ward (Snow) (1974)
So sad to hear of Gene's passing. His face is so fresh in my mind. We had such a nice conversation in Ft. Hunt Park at the 50th Reunion last Fall. What a sweet soul as we reminienced of friends we had seen and friends we had lost. He was so unasummimg and genuine. He always made you feel welcome. My sincere condolences to family and friends.
Margaret Ann Gray (Williamson) (1974)
Gene and I were in 5th grade together. When we chatted at the 50th reunion I told him how impressed I was with his coloring ability. I struggled to stay in the lines and he was blending colors. We never had any other classes together but I can still see his vivid sailing ship on the sea.
Joe Gililland (1973)
FACEBOOK POSTS REGARDING GENE'S PASSING:
Deborah Dedman Loe
Gene was a truly special friend. My heart is broken for you, Joe, for Russell, and for all who knew and loved him.
May God give comfort to us all.
Scott McKnight
I met Gene a few years ago through Ft. Hunt musician circles. I enjoyed our conversations. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.
Vic Quick Arkilic
O.M.G. I'am in total shock. Gene my fellow 1974 classmate, a wonderful life long friend and amazing musician. We will never ever forget you. Condolences to your family, friends and fans.
Kay Wiemer Gerke
Gene was a dear friend of mine since kindergarten! We got in trouble together even then! He had such a kind heart, a warm smile, and a great sense of humor! I will write more later. He was a great guy!
Maury Niebur
oh damn. What a wonderful guy.
Carol Swygert Dupree
Very sad news, indeed. Thank you, Joe for sharing this information about him.
Rest in paradise,Gene.
Same prayers for your family and also for you.
Susan Purvis Reese
Oh I’m so sorry to hear this news.
Ted Zook
So sad; Gene was my next door neighbor on Wakefield St.
Dave FlorCruz
God Bless you Geno! The world was a better place with you in it.
Mike Morgan
Sorry to hear - prayers to Russ and whole family.
Diane Feeney
Ugh. I’m so sorry.
Susan Santschi
Peace be with Gene, his family, and friends.
Great pictures, Joe!
Leland Lambert
Sorry for your loss and his passing. Great tribute. May he RIP while keeping the beat going.
Yvonne Sansom
Amazing tribute to a FHHS, musician and security worker.
Priscilla DeFore Stapula
Such a beautiful tribute Joe. So very sorry for the loss of your good friend. Sending comfort to his family and all who loved him
Kelly Gwynn
RIP Federal. You mat be gone, but won't be forgotten. My condolences to family and friends.
Sheri Miller McConville
Gene was a wonderful and kind soul. He will be missed.
Donna Pumphrey
Oh my gosh Joe- I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Gene was such a sweet guy. Sending my deepest condolences to Russ, Pam, and all his family and friends.
Lisa Ordoyne Custer
Beautiful memories of Gene will always be in our hearts
Thomas Watson
thoughts and prayers
Steve Felch
Sad news.....the Strobels were neighbors a couple streets over in SOTP .....peace to Russ and family.
Hillarie Immel
I am sorry, but hearing about so many of our lifelong friends is heartbreaking to me. Gene, you were always so kind and sincere to everyone you knew. You will be dearly missed by all that had the opportunity to know you. RIP my friend.
David Grimes
Wonderful tribute. So sorry for your loss.
Beth Pierce Nettuno
Godspeed Gene. You always had a smile and never failed to say hello. Seeing you at the reunions over the years was a constant. This is a sad day
and I’m going to miss your quiet presence. 
David Pfeiffer
Also sorry to hear. RIP Gene.
Eric Schlam
Very sad news, Joe - Gene was a very kind man - always a supportive word - very dedicated musician and drummer
Katherine Guille
one the good guys - RIP
Douglas Welch
Awwww this hurts. What a sweet soul Gene was. My heart goes out to Russ and Pam.
Ann Philopena
This truly saddens my heart. Gene was such a warm dear man. RIP.
Sandi Evans Rogers
I am so sorry to hear…Gene was such a delightful spirit, gracious, kind, supportive, and so much more always great everyone with a smile. He lifted your spirit just being around him. He will be missed by family and friends. We were so blessed to be in his corner of the world
Michelle Broderick
Sincere condolences to Russ and Pam.
Troy Curry
Gentle condolences to his family, and to all who loved him.
Beth Lowder-Hofmann
A kind and gentle man - condolences to his family and friends.
Doug Weisbrod
RIP Gene. Sebago was a great band to be with you in down at JMU. Also cherish the many jams we were in together. You are a true gentleman and a fabulous drummer with rock solid meter. A good man.
Stacy Edwards
Gene was just a great guy, prayers up for his family.
Marcus Esposito
So sad to lose such a kind and warm soul.
Mary Orth Moss ·
I don’t remember him but he sounds like a lovely man. So many of our class were just great people! We were blessed! Prayers for his family!
Beth Clifford Kelly
Very sad news for the Strobel family and a great loss to the FH family. Sympathy and prayers
John Lowe
Oh no ! RIP Stephen Gosher told me he was ailing . RIP
Jimi Blackman
My deepest condolences for the lost of one of us. He was a good man. Hugs to you Joe, Russell, Pam and all of yours.
Tim McDonald
Rest in peace Gene so sorry to hear of his passing
Ben Harper
Sorry to hear this sad news.
Sandy McAlister
Strength and prayers to entire family.
Lu Anne Dawson Kirkland
I’m so glad I got to spend time with Gene last year in Florida. Always a great feeling to be around him. It carries on when I think of him. His family and friends are heartbroken but Gene is hugging us all. Rest gently, my dear friend. We will miss you to eternity.
Sue Gaskins Britton
RIP Gene. Sending my condolences to his family and friends.
Dick Alderson
Geno was one of my best buds. He hosted SO many of our Friday night outings. We had lots of excursions to music venues (Birchmere, State Theater, etc) to see great music. Shared many Nats opening day games. I could go on and on about all the good times. Just a great friend who will be sorely missed. I love ya, buddy. May you rest in peace.
Super write-up Joe, and great pictures. Gene was a character.
Mira Mary Welch Culham
This is… such sad news. The world feels emptier without Gene, that sweet guy! My heart goes out to Russell and Pam….and all of us whose lives he touched. Thank you for posting this, Joe.
Jeff Farmer
I’m a FH and JMU alum…he will be missed
Ron Mangas Sr
Rest in peace old friend. I told another fellow drummer to say hi for me if he saw you at the picnic. I had hoped to see you again. Gene was most like the great jazz drummer Louie Bellson, widely known for being kind and generous to everyone he met. A rare skill. I couldn't believe it when he told me he switched from sales to the isolated work of database management, but he seemed happy.
John W Eggeman
Very sorry to hear this news. Living just up the street, I knew Russell and Gene from early 60s. We were kids and explored, played, hung out often. Unfortunately, have lost contact since school days, over the years nevertheless, am very sad to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers.
Chuck Flanagan
So sorry to hear
Sandy Hightower Boemerman
A wonderful guy.
for his family and friends. 
Joan Catalina Fabbri
Gene was a kind and gentle soul. We met as youngsters in elementary school. I know he was welcomed by the Angels . He will be sorely missed.
Karleen Rogers
He was such a nice man. Rest in peace, my friend.
Candes Ritter
My thoughts are with Gene's loved ones, especially his brother Russell
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This is very sad. I’ve known Gene since elementary school. He was always very kind and caring. He will be missed. !
Jennifer Driscoll Coffey
this is such sad news. Always liked him. such a genuinely nice guy.
Linda Gray Rayner
This makes me so sad. RIP Gene. You'll be missed!! You were quite a guy. Always with a smile and kind words. They don't make them like you any more. Prayers and love to Russ, Pam, and all that knew and loved him!
Jamie Munn Simmons
This breaks my heart! Gene was such a kind soul and always had a smile. We were neighbors on Wakefield St. and some of my favorite memories were hanging out in the culvert in front of our houses with Susie White!
Fly high, Gene!
Judie E. Fialkowski
May the angels welcome you with open arms, my friend. RIP
Cynthia Addis
Such a kind soul. RIP Gene.
There are no words. 
Prayers going up for all that loved him for all the difficult days ahead without him here on earth. Especially the firsts. 
Susan Beltrante Thomas
Prayers for his family for comfort and strength as they lay him to rest.
Paul Munn
RIP Gene and my condolences to all who knew and loved him
Candes Ritter
Susan Humphreys Dittman
Condolences to the family, especially longtime classmate Russell.
Chuck Huelsman
Sorry to hear this, rest in peace Gene
Bob Rush
Our backyards met. He was just a good soul. Rest in paradise.
Bill Coleman
Very sorry to hear this news. I didn't know about his impressive music career. RIP Gene.
Kaye Titerence
Gene, may you rest in peace. Russell, so very sorry for your loss. With love and deepest sympathy, Kaye
Virginia Liu
So sad to see this post. Gene was such a kind soul. RIP!! You will be missed by many.
Teresa Zimmerman
I’m so sorry. Nice guy.
Kelly Myatt St Clair
Lifelong friends and shared experiences stay etched on our hearts. I’m so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing
Thank you for sharing your beautiful tribute,Joe…
Sincere condolences to his family as well.
Sandy Critz
Thank you Joe for such a beautiful remembrance of Gene. We were buddies from middle school through high school. He was such a sweet soul! RIP my friend
Gary Burke
So sorry for Genes passing, i cant believe it. He was over to my house with Dick and Joe little over 2 months ago sitting in the middle of my couch giggling and listening to music. God bless you
Leslie Farrell
LuvuGene
Bruce Brownson
Good guy, he will be missed
Dave Pomeroy - Earwave Music ·
So sorry to hear this. What a great guy. So many memories. Love to Russ and all who knew him.
Maureen Kennedy
I’m so sorry to hear this very sad news.. My deepest condolences to his family .
Mike Folk
Rest in peace my brother. I’ll always remember your smile.
Mary Jane Bryarly Salter
Rest in peace, Gene. May your love for music continue to inspire us. Heartfelt condolences to Russ, Pam and to the entire Stobel family
Darrell Johnston
Kathy Butchko
Sympathies and hugs to friends and family. I recall seeing Gene and Russ at FHHS gatherings over the years - always together. Such a nice guy, I’m sad to hear this.
Alison Vallejo
So tough to lose the gentlest of souls among us. RIP Gene.
Liz McFarland
So very sorry to hear this, he lived couple streets over from us - thank you for posting these photos - that smile I remember, never changed. Condolences to family and his many friends.
Kelly Reitmeyer
AHHH so sorry to see this
Pam and Russ, and your families, prayers for you all.
Sandy Henson
Really sad to hear this
Every time I saw Gene , he was so kind and friendly. He was my '74 class but I did not know him back then. The reunions made us friends though. My prayers go out to his family and all friends. Wonderful and special tribute Joe 
Ronald James Duvall (1974)
One of many, it was a shock to see about Gene’s passing. Gene would have been surprised and pleased with the outpouring of comments from the people he touched while growing up. I too grew up in the area and was a frequent participant at Gene’s birthday party’s.
As shown by the many comments posted, all of us that grew up in the general confines of Stratford Landing, Stratford Landing on the Potomac, Riverside, Waynewood and Potomac Valley all passed through Gene's orbit at Stratford Landing Elementary Stephen Foster Intermediate, and of course Fort Hunt High School. Some of us were also blessed to have known Gene through Aldersgate Methodist church. Many of us got the chance to visit with Gene at the 50th picnic and remake connections with him and his brother.
Rest in Peace my friend.
Ron Duvall class of 1974