Eugene L. Kilbourn

EUGENE L. KILBOURN Eugene L. Kilbourn, age 71, of Marshall, died at Oaklawn Hospital on Monday, August 7, 2006. Eugene was born June 6, 1935 in Big Rapids at home in the family''s log cabin to Sylvester Joseph and Gladys Mae (Kieper) Kilbourn. In 1944, his family purchased a farm in Marengo Township and the family settled there. Eugene has lived in Marengo Township the remainder of his life. He was a 1953 graduate of Marshall High School. Eugene then studied electrical engineering at Michigan State University from 1957 until 1963. In 1953, Eugene met Mary E. Hartman at her uncle''s farm on 22 Mile Road. He fell in love, and for 5 years would make a two hour trek to Indiana to pick up Mary at her home and then drive her back to Michigan to visit with his parents and family, then drive two hours to return to her home! On December 13, 1958 the couple were married in Elkhart ,Indiana. In 1964, Eugene was a co-founder of Progressive Dynamics Inc. in Marshall, and has served as CEO of the company since then. Progressive Dynamics is an electronics company which manufactures products for the medical and recreational vehicle industries. Prior to 1964, he was an engineer at S.H. Leggitt Company in Marshall. Eugene always kept the good of his employees at the front of his business practices. His heart was in their well being. He was the recipient of the Michigan Small Business Person Award in 1978, and also in 1978 earned the National Second Place Small Business Award for the United States. Eugene had a lifelong love of the family farms, and was Director and CEO of Kilbourn Family Farms, Inc.. He was a familiar sight in his neighborhood on his tractor, mowing ,creating paths, and planting corn for the deer amongst many other farm related activities. A good snow was always appreciated by Eugene, which resulted in his rolling out the tractor with the blower on it to take care of everyone''s driveways near his home! Eugene served his community well. He was a member of the Marshall Manufacturers Association, and MADA. He currently was serving on a committee studying ways to improve Marshall''s electrical services. He was a past member of the Mar Lee School Board. He was a past director of Junior Achievement of Marshall, past Chairman of the Marshall Economic Development Committee, was a past member of the Marshall Airport Board, and had served on many other city committees over the years. He had served with the Air National Guard''s 110th Material Squadron in Battle Creek, from 1957 until his honorable discharge in 1963 as a Staff Sergeant. He was a past board member of the Accident Fund of Michigan, past board member of Underwriters Laboratory, and a past member of the board of directors of Michigan National Bank. He was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He served for ten years as Chairman of the Subcommittee Electrical Task Group for Recreational Vehicle Industry, five years as a member of the Sectional Committee on Recreational Vehicles, five years as a member of the Inter-Sectional Committee on Electrical Task Force for National Fire Protection Association, and served as an advisor to Underwriters Laboratories for Recreational Vehicle Power Converters, UL458, and also as an advisor on General Power Supplies, UL101.2 Committee. He was Technical Curriculum Advisor to Kellogg Community College. He also served as a financial advisor to small businesses. Eugene enjoyed Oliver tractor restoration projects. He also enjoyed his hobby as a beekeeper, and many have enjoyed the honey he has given away over the years. He was talented with his mind and his hands, and as a result could fix anything. He was a licensed pilot and had a love of flying that was infectious. Numerous youngsters had their first flight courtesy of Mr. Kilbourn. He was a member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and Cessna Pilots Association. Surviving are his wife Mary; their son, Eric Preston Kilbourn of Marshall; 3 brothers, Cecil (Linda) Kilbourn of Marshall, Frank (Brenda) Kilbourne of Grand Rapids, and Herman (Linda) Kilbourn of Cambridge City, Indiana; a sister, Goldie Godden of Marion; 3 sister-in-laws, Elsie Shippell of Marshall, Ardella Shippell of Big Rapids, and Shirley Kilbourn of Albion; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Robert Shippell, Raymond Shippell, Bruce Kilburn and Leon Shippell, and sisters Sylvia Starks and Lois Kilbourn. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5PM-9PM, where family will be present 5PM-7PM, and Thursday 9AM-9PM, where family will be present 2PM-4PM and 6PM-8PM to greet friends and share memories. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, Aug.11, at 11AM at Family Altar Bible Church at the corner of F Drive North and Old 27 North in Marshall. Interment will follow in Rice Creek Cemetery. The family suggests that memorials be directed to Rice Creek Community Church Building Fund or Oaklawn Hospital. Assistance with memorials available at Kempf Funeral Home. To sign the on line guest register, and leave a message for the family please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com.