Eugene C. Struckhoff III (1945-2025)

Gene passed away Sunday, September 21, in Enfield, NH.

 

Gene came to Princeton from Maine and New Hampshire as a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, entering with the Class of 1967 and accepting the university's offer of sophomore standing. He majored in history, joined Cloister, and played I.A.A. sports. Following graduation, Gene earned his J.D. at Harvard. Working from New Hampshire at Lothstein Guerriero, PLLC, Gene became one of the country’s experts on DWI/DUI defense and was a founder of the National College for DUI Defense.

 

As an expert on DWI/DUI defense, Gene wrote that he was often asked, "Why do you defend DWI's? How can you defend people who are guilty? Don't you know how awful DWI is?" Gene was passionate about the Constitution and civil rights and posted The Importance of Defending DWI/DUI Cases in response on his former website.

 

At the time of our 55th, he was living in McLeod, Montana but moved back to Enfield. Gene was an avid photographer, especially of birds, and he loved Teslas, of which he owned several. He was widowed and is survived by his son Ian and two grandkids. Gene's mother was a noted birder, and his father was known at the "Johnny Appleseed of Community Foundations".

 

Nassau Herald

From Facebook

Memories and Tributes

Ian, Gene's son, from Facebook:

Many of you know that my father “Geno” was a huge part of making The Fourth Place a reality.

 

In the years leading up to the opening, and the years since, he supported this dream— He encouraged me to do it, he provided most of the funding, he gave me a place to live while we ramped up, and he was proud to be part of the diverse community we are building.

 

He is also a big part of why I am a nerd, and helped me get into video games, sci-fi, fantasy, and comics. He always encouraged me to do something I love, and something that mattered, not just a job.

 

My father had life-threatening health issues since he was born in 1944, and was long at peace with his “multiple morbidities” and with dying. His chronic health problems became more acute on Father’s Day, and he spent most of August in the hospital, and then two weeks home on hospice. I missed The Place throughout that time, and am looking forward to being back soon.

 

Eugene C. Struckhoff, III passed away peacefully at our home in Enfield, NH this morning. He was proud of his life, he got the ending he wanted, and our Place is just one of many ways he left the world a better place.

 

Thank you for The Place, Geno.

 

Jon Holman:

I encountered Gene in April 2020 when I saw a photo of him on Facebook wearing a mask; this was the photo. I maintain the '66 Photo Archive and added it.
 
And then it occurred to me that it might be fun to collect masked photos of classmates to lighten up Covid times. This led to Masked Men, in which 166 of us participated, and it in turn was one of the reasons our class won the award for most creative reunion for our 55th. So Gene actually played a major role in kicking off a very fun and successful '66 event.
 

I spoke with him half a dozen times. He had serious medical problems which he hardly complained about; what I remember is that he needed constant eye injections. His son Ian says that he was very ill his whole life. I always enjoyed our conversations and now wish that I had had more.

 

If you have photos or memories that you wish to share, please send them to the '66 Memorial Team (66_MemorialTeam@tiger1966.org). We will add them to this page.