Perusing the Chronicle obits, noticed that Gene died at age 87 last Thursday. Memorial service the afternoon of the 26th at St. Martins. Detailed Chron/Geo H Lewis obit pending.

One of our five or six all time great basketball men, an uber-loyal Owl, a fine banking trust officer, and just one hell of an all-around nice guy.

Old-timers, feel free to add your Schwinger stories.....

Great man, great basketball player (so I've been told, his playing career predated my Rice time a bit), and a great Owl. The world is poorer for losing him, but heaven is richer.

Seen his name atop many a Rice Men's Basketball Career list. Shame he never saw another Rice men's team make the NCAAs after 1970. A good man who will be missed.

A good man, a good owl, a good friend who will be missed

It was sometimes in the summer in the mid-80s when Ramsay Elder and I were wandering around the Graben in Vienna looking for a good place to get a tall glass of beer. Speaking of tall, way, way across the square we noticed a man who who stood literally head and shoulders above everyone else in the crowd. Ramsay said something like, “Look at that guy way over there, he’s awfully tall for an Austrian.” I squinted in the general direction, and said, “Austrian, hell, that’s Gene Schwinger!” “Nah, can’t be, must be a look-alike,” Ramsay said. So we wended our through the teaming crowd til we got within shouting distance. “Gene, is that you, Gene?” “ Of course it was, and after a few more minutes of maneuvering through the pedestrian mall, we were standing together, the four of us, Gene’s wife Anne included, and minutes later, we were at the Goesser Brau Keller, having that tall glass of brew. Very nice memory. That happened about 25 years ago. Seems like yesterday.

(01-23-2020 07:48 PM)Ricefootballnet Wrote:  It was sometimes in the summer in the mid-80s when Ramsay Elder and I were wandering around the Graben in Vienna looking for a good place to get a tall glass of beer. Speaking of tall, way, way across the square we noticed a man who who stood literally head and shoulders above everyone else in the crowd. Ramsay said something like, “Look at that guy way over there, he’s awfully tall for an Austrian.” I squinted in the general direction, and said, “Austrian, hell, that’s Gene Schwinger!” “Nah, can’t be, must be a look-alike,” Ramsay said. So we wended our through the teaming crowd til we got within shouting distance. “Gene, is that you, Gene?” “ Of course it was, and after a few more minutes of maneuvering through the pedestrian mall, we were standing together, the four of us, Gene’s wife Anne included, and minutes later, we were at the Goesser Brau Keller, having that tall glass of brew. Very nice memory. That happened about 25 years ago. Seems like yesterday.

Great story, but mid-80s was more like 35 years ago. We are getting old, dude.

(01-23-2020 07:48 PM)Ricefootballnet Wrote:  It was sometimes in the summer in the mid-80s when Ramsay Elder and I were wandering around the Graben in Vienna looking for a good place to get a tall glass of beer. Speaking of tall, way, way across the square we noticed a man who who stood literally head and shoulders above everyone else in the crowd. Ramsay said something like, “Look at that guy way over there, he’s awfully tall for an Austrian.” I squinted in the general direction, and said, “Austrian, hell, that’s Gene Schwinger!” “Nah, can’t be, must be a look-alike,” Ramsay said. So we wended our through the teaming crowd til we got within shouting distance. “Gene, is that you, Gene?” “ Of course it was, and after a few more minutes of maneuvering through the pedestrian mall, we were standing together, the four of us, Gene’s wife Anne included, and minutes later, we were at the Goesser Brau Keller, having that tall glass of brew. Very nice memory. That happened about 25 years ago. Seems like yesterday.

I've read his name many times, but was before my time. Great story.

RIP Gene ...
One of the alltime great Owls, and a nicer guy you could not find.

(01-23-2020 09:49 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-23-2020 07:48 PM)Ricefootballnet Wrote:  It was sometimes in the summer in the mid-80s when Ramsay Elder and I were wandering around the Graben in Vienna looking for a good place to get a tall glass of beer. Speaking of tall, way, way across the square we noticed a man who who stood literally head and shoulders above everyone else in the crowd. Ramsay said something like, “Look at that guy way over there, he’s awfully tall for an Austrian.” I squinted in the general direction, and said, “Austrian, hell, that’s Gene Schwinger!” “Nah, can’t be, must be a look-alike,” Ramsay said. So we wended our through the teaming crowd til we got within shouting distance. “Gene, is that you, Gene?” “ Of course it was, and after a few more minutes of maneuvering through the pedestrian mall, we were standing together, the four of us, Gene’s wife Anne included, and minutes later, we were at the Goesser Brau Keller, having that tall glass of brew. Very nice memory. That happened about 25 years ago. Seems like yesterday.

Great story, but mid-80s was more like 35 years ago. We are getting old, dude.

Bad math on my part. It had to have been the mid 90s, because it was a couple of years after the Czech Velvet Revolution of 89 to 92.

The lapse proves your point!

They did a moment of silence for Gene last night prior to tip off. I believe some of his family was there, so it was a nice gesture.