Gene Anthony Herb of Hillsboro passed away on Friday January 18th at age 79, in Forest Grove. He was present with family when he succumbed to a brief illness related to Alzheimer's.

Gene was born on July 29th, 1939 on the family farm in Forest Grove, the third and youngest of three children to Francis and Lena Herb. Gene's schooling was in a one-room school house on Clapshaw Hill Road near Hillside Road down from the family farm where the family grew walnuts, hazelnuts and prunes. Gene graduated From Forest Grove High School with the Class of 1957 and went on to attend Oregon State University where he graduated in 1961 with a degree in Biology. He remained an avid Beaver’s fan and was rarely seen without wearing the Beaver emblem and the black and orange of his Alma mater. Gene's love for nature and the outdoors brought him into a career as a Wildlife Biologist for the State of Oregon, a position he held for 31 years before retiring in 1995. He went on to do consulting work. Gene had a great deal of pride in his work and was a strong advocate and supporter of environmental causes. Gene was a very active member of the Forest Grove community and was involved in several volunteer organizations including the Issac Walton League, and the Oregon Hunter's Association. Gene was also a member of the Forest Grove Kiwanis Club and served a term as president in 1991. Gene was also instrumental in the creation of the Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove and the Jackson Bottom Wildlife Refuge south of Hillsboro where he served on the board and eventually had a specific marsh area in the refuge named in his honor, aptly called the “Gene Pool”.

Gene was a strong mentor to his children, assisting with Boy Scouts and other school clubs, athletics and involvement through their childhood. Always the avid outdoorsman, Gene enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and bird watching. He also enjoyed spending time on the farm where he grew up and tended to timber production and harvest.

Gene is survived by his wife Lana, married 53 years, his four children, Mike Herb of Hillsboro, Lori Herb Wiltzius of Forest, Virginia, Bryan Herb of Chicago, Illinois and Cindy Herb of Dallas, Texas along with 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Lena Herb and his two siblings, Bob Herb and Carolyn Herb Duyck.

A celebration of life event will be announced and take place in 2020 on the family farm where he grew up.

Donations can be made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.