Eugene Schoenfelder, of Pinehurst, died Friday, May 29, 2011, at his home.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, in Pinehurst. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. A visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Boles Funeral Home, in Southern Pines.
Mr. Schoenfelder was born April 21, 1917, in New York City. A graduate of Manhattan College, Gene served his country in World War II as a combat engineer with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Division, U.S. Marine Corps, seeing combat in six operations in the Pacific theater of the Second World War, at times assigned to Marine Rangers and G2 (Intelligence).
As a major, he was awarded the Silver Star. As well, he was knighted by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, both awards for bravery under fire. He spent 2 ½ years in combat, returning to the U.S., assigned to Washington, D.C., to implement combat engineer training between the Marine Corps and the U.S. Army.
He worked with the same company his entire professional career. Early on, he spent five years living in Mexico with his young family. Later, he worked all over South America, Africa, Asia and Europe as vice president of the international division initially for American Chicle Co., which was purchased by Warner Lambert Pharmaceuticals/American Optical, now known as Pfizer Inc.
His beloved wife, Mary, originally of St. Andrews West, Ontario, Canada, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his son, Eugene Schoenfelder Jr., of Pinehurst; his daughter, Cassie Willis, of Southern Pines; and his grandson, Colin, and granddaughter, Kira, both of Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Moore Regional Hospital Healing Garden, checks payable to MRH Foundation (“Healing Garden” in the memo line), 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374. Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.