Robert Eugene Hendrickson

Gene was born on August 25, 1932 to 1SGT Wood Lige and Lela May (Shelton) Hendrickson on post at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio Texas. Ft. Sam and the surrounding areas became a place filled with his childhood memories participating in the Ft. Sam Houston Boys Club, singing in the Main Post Chapel choir where his dearly loved mother taught Sunday school, delivering newspapers, and playing baseball in San Antonio and church leagues. It was at Ft. Sam where he made and kept lifelong friends that formed a club and called themselves “The Crows”. Later in life, they took an oath to pass on a bottle of wine for the last survivor to drink. Gene is the final recipient.

As a young boy, Gene recalled the news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, knowing boys’ fathers that went off to war, living through war rationings, and being subject to Polio epidemic restrictions. During his teenage years, he worked a variety of jobs with “Crows” best friend, Earl Fowler, including: riding shotgun on a popsicle truck for 5 cents an hour and 3 popsicles a day, shoveling pony poop (his words) at Kiddie Park on Broadway for 10 cents an hour, and getting free entrance tickets to Playland Park to test ride the roller coaster.

Gene graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School where he played on the 1949 state football championship team. He attended the University of Texas at Austin where he was a walk-on for the baseball team with a partial scholarship and a job in the athletic office delivering football tickets to VIP fans. He played shortstop, catcher and other positions on the team. While still at UT, Gene decided to enlist in the Air Force during the Korean War. In 1953, after basic training at Lackland AFB, he went on to pilot training at Marana Air Base and Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. Letters written by Gene during this time often detailed the challenges, excitement, and beauty of flying.

After completing his Air Force tour, he headed to school in Plainview, TX and obtained his court reporters certification. He then returned to San Antonio where he faithfully served for 35 years as a court reporter for Bexar County. For many of those years, he served in leadership roles for the Bexar County Court Reporters Association and Texas Shorthand Reporters Association. Even in retirement, Gene continued to follow the politics, elections, and happenings at the Bexar County Courthouse and kept in touch with his courthouse family.

Fond family memories with Gene included trips to the Texas coast, going to Fiesta Battle of Flowers parades and band events, and Air Force airshows. He enjoyed fishing, returning to the Mocking Bird Hill homestead in Harriman, Tennessee, a good cigar, handing out $2 bills because of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the back, and Texas football. He kept his UT spirit and frequently would say “I’m going to hook’em” when heading out the door. Gene was always ready to hear or share a good story or joke. He will be remembered for instilling in his children to believe in God, get your education, work hard, respect the armed forces, and go vote.

Last year, his family was blessed to have celebrated a 90th birthday party with him. Gene faced moving on to glory with the assurance of eternal life through his salvation in Jesus Christ and with his usual wit- knowing that his mom was waiting at the Pearly Gates for him. He made sure his children knew they were loved, he was ready to go, and everything was going to be alright. He expressed praises to God, and thankfulness for salvation, for his children, and for those who blessed him in their service for his care.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, 1SGT Wood and Lela Hendrickson, and siblings, Hazel, Hugh, Ruth (Parker), and Mary Margaret (Williams), and his beloved German Shorthaired Pointer, Lady Bird.

Gene is survived by his children, Patricia Tschirhart (Gary), Sandra Montoya (Paul), Linda Lorillard (Ronnie), Edward Hendrickson, and Tiffany Hendrickson; grandchildren: Shanna, Pamela, Samuel, Kyle, Kara, Andrew, Erick, and Julianne; great grandchildren: Amelie, Liam, and Evie; nephews: Ray Parker and Roger Williams; niece, Carolyn (Williams) Reyes; and 2nd cousin, Lee Allen Hill. Also remembered are his former stepchildren, Beth (Orr) Emrie, Jimmy Orr, and David Orr.

Graveside services will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #2, at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023. Officiating by Pastor Boots Levine from Cornerstone Church where Gene attended for many years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerialDelAngelRoyAkers.com for the Hendrickson family. Funeral Services provided by Roy Akers Funeral Home, 515 N. Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7