Gene Albaugh (credit: Gene’s CaringBridge page)
I was so saddened to hear this news. I, too, enjoyed my friendship with Gene. We often talked about Nevada City, sharing our passion about keeping the Courthouse in the downtown or joking about small-town politics. When he was city manager, Gene said he could not “confirm or deny” my big scoop about the Amgen race starting in Nevada City, offering some reassurance I was correct.
Gene’s pat line about how he was feeling — “Bordering on the Fantastic!” — cheered me up to no end. After he retired, I’d still run into Gene eating lunch at Las Katarinas on Broad Street, and we’d catch up.
As it turns out, Gene had incurable cancer that was detected after he and his wife went on a long road trip last fall, according to writings by his daughter Pamela Albaugh Wolff on Gene’s CaringBridge page.
“Retired City Manager Gene Albaugh of Nevada City, a USC alumnus and a Grass Valley resident, has battling Stage 4 gall bladder cancer for the past 5-months,” according to a report in May in PublicCEO.com. “As of April 24, 2012, Gene checked into the Hospice of the Foothills for incurable cancer patients. Chemo was offered, which might extend life a couple of month, but with severe side effects. Gene has elected to proceed with his best quality of life for the time he has left.”
Pamela Albaugh Wolff’s tribute to her dad was heartfelt. Here’s an excerpt:
“He finally retired from his long and successful career in public administration. He put out the cat, turned off the lights and turned in his keys on June 28, 2011 to his beloved Nevada City, California.
“My dad was diagnosed with a very rare form of Gall Bladder cancer.
“Thank you for being a part of my dad’s multifaceted and beautiful life. He has always been, and will continue to be a most respected and honorable man, husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, son, brother, uncle, nephew, friend to so many, public servant, consultant, Rotarian, Elks Lodge member, Knights of Columbus, member of the Sons of Norway, baseball player, coach and manager, square dancer, world traveler, back packer, golfer, high school teacher, mentor, gardener, neighbor, advocate, visionary, conservative and always: Bordering on the Fantastic!
That’s my dad,
Pamela Albaugh Wolff”
Some background about Gene’s sendoff when he retired is here and here.
(Credit: Nevada City)
(Credit: Gene’s Caringbridge page)
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I sit here with an enormous sadness and deep sense of loss. Gene was much, much more than a friend. For me, he was a guide, always ‘there’ with wise advice and good conversation. I think often of my year as mayor of this eccentric town and how he helped make it one of the most enriching of my life. I think of the drives up to Truckee for the mayors/manages breakfasts. And I think of the homemade cranberry-oatmeal cookies that made him chuckle.
Gene was a splendid man – the very best. He is missed and, for me, will always be remembered.
How sad to hear this; but here’s to a happy, helpful, and intelligent guy, who served the public with a smile, and choose to leave this world on his own terms.
Here is a new post on Gene’s CaringBridge website:
Greetings dear family and friends,
Whenever asked, “How are you doing dad/coach/Gene?” he would reply, “Bordering on the Fantastic!”
It was always a welcome response that made you think, yeah, me too. One day I said to my dad, what happens if one day you are actually “Fantastic?” His reply, I will be dead.
This morning at 5:03am my dad slipped into “Fantastic.” He died very peacefully surrounded by his family. While we are sadder than we ever thought possible, he left a legacy that humbles and awes us.
Further information will be posted after we have met with Hooper & Weaver to make the final arrangements.
We are extremely grateful to Hospice of the Foothills for their compassion and concern for our entire family.
Pamela Albaugh Wolff
Nevada City has lost one of its best friends. Gene died as he lived: with class and dignity –– and spent his final months exchanging e-mails with friends and accepting his fate with a smile on his face.
All who knew him likely have a Gene Story they can share, so here’s mine:
When the then-city manager took a job with the county in early 2008, Gene agreed to serve as an interim city manager –– but told the council that we had better find a replacement ASAP. As I recall, he agreed stay for up to 90 days, but certainly not beyond that.
We advertised for a new city manager and received several outstanding applications. As a council, our task was to paper screen the applicants down to those we wanted to interview. After the initial interviews, we planned follow-up interviews with the top 4-5 candidates. When the process was over, the prevailing candidate would be offered the job of city manager.
On the morning of the evening when we were scheduled to meet in closed session to review the applications, I went into Gene’s office and asked him if he would consider removing the “interim” label from his title. My question to him was, “Are there any circumstances under which you would agree to have the ‘interim’ label removed from your title and stay on as full-time city manager for the next 3-4 years?”
His answer was immediate and firm: “No.”
Then, with a wink and smile, he said, “But if it was for only two or three years, I would do it.”
We spent the next few minutes discussing the possible mood of the council, and Gene was not sure they would support my idea. To me it was a classic no-brainer, but Gene was unconvinced. I asked for his permission to raise the topic with my colleagues, and he agreed that it was worth a try.
That night, when we met in closed session to consider the applicants, I suggested that the best applicant was already sitting at the city manager’s desk. Then I told my colleagues that Gene and I had discussed the possibility of him dropping the “interim” tag, and that he would agree to stay on for at least two or three years.
Bottom line, Gene was soon offered the full-time position and quickly brought organization and order to a City Hall that, in my opinion, was spinning our of control.
When I look back at my sixteen years on the council, that morning meeting with Gene turned out to be one of the best things I ever did for the community.
I didn’t know he was a conservative. The fact that it didn’t show through in his work with the Energy Solutions Task Force is a huge tribute to a job done right. Putting personal feelings aside to just make sure the process got shepherded appropriately and in an unbiased manner is a great testament. Thanks Gene!
The Military portrait shows a handsome young soldier with an absolutely wonderful smile.
That loving great-grandfather is wearing it too.
Nice to see stayed with him for all those years.
From Brad and myself,
Sincerest condolences to Mr. Albaugh’s family, friends and the community he served.
Gene was a class act. A sad loss for our community, Best wishes to his family.
Gene will be sorely missed. Prayers and thoughts go out to his family.
Gene was a specialist at “lightening rod” jobs. He served the town of Plymouth as Interim City Manager, and was the first professional City Manager, ever. It was impossible to be popular – it just does not work that way. An “outsider”. But he was a pro and knew what to expect and how to deal with it.
How many of us are willing to put ourselves in that position (and drive close to 4 hours a day for the privilege)?
Gene did it and enjoyed it because he knew that few had his tool box and his personal abilities, and the community deeply needed a broom and structure.
When he left, he also left behind a Rotary Club in Plymouth that is just bustling. The seeds just from that Rotary club will bloom for years and years in our community. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Gene was a clever Rascal! Deeply missed. Highly respected. A wonderful example.
Rick Sanders