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Lowell B. Genebach, Jr. ’48 No. 16554 15 Jun 1926 – 3 May 1998 Died in Reston, VA Interred in Chestnut Grove Cemetery, Herndon, VA Lowell Burke Geneback, Jr., came to the Military Academy from Battle Creek, MI, where he was born on 15 Jun 1926. He graduated from Lakeview High School there and, in preparation for West Point, attended Bullis School in Silver Spring, MD. At both schools, he had a wide range of interests beyond his academic endeavors. At Lakeview, he was elected to the Student Council, was president of the Forensic Club, and was secretary/treasurer of the dance board; at Bullis, he was secretary/treasurer of the Student Council and student-manager of the basketball team. Lowell adapted readily to West Point life and marched easily through his cadet years. He maintained a high academic standing and still managed to be a voracious reader and spend hours playing pool and bridge. He served as an acolyte, was a member of the sailing and debating clubs, and worked on the Howitzer staff. A classmate noted that he kept things lively and helped those around him enjoy their cadet days a little more. After graduating and receiving a commission in the Signal Corps, he attended the Basic Ground General Course at Ft. Riley, KS, followed by the Basic Signal Officers Course at Ft. Monmouth, NJ. He later wrote that these six months near both the Big Apple and the Monmouth race track gave him the savoir faire to woo and wed (on 7 May 1949) his lifelong partner, Eloise Martin of Waynesville, NC. Lowell was introduced to Eloise by his sister Jean, when both were dancers in the New York City Ballet. Family lore holds that the first time he saw Eloise, Lowell said, “That’s the girl I am going to marry.” Shortly after the wedding, they departed for Karlsruhe, Germany, where, for two years, Lowell was assigned to various company duties in a signal battalion and then, for two years, commanded a large, separate, Signal company numbering over 500 men. The first two of the Genebach children, Dennis and Jean, were born in Heidelberg during this European tour. Returning to the United States in 1953, Lowell was assigned as an instructor in the Department of Mathematics at West Point. During the following three years, a third child, Michael, was born at West Point. After that assignment, he left the active service and returned to Battle Creek to join the United Steel and Wire Company, the family business founded by his grandfather. He continued his military service, however, by joining the Reserves and, for the next several years, returned to the Mathematics Department at West Point for his two weeks of annual active duty. In Battle Creek, he was involved in a variety of activities serving the community, such as the Rotary Club, as District Chairman of the Boy Scouts, and in the vestry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. He also was county chairman of the Democratic Party, president of the community theatre, secretary/treasurer of the YMCA Board, and coach of the community swim teams. In 1964, Lowell began a long tenure of government service in the Washington area. The Genebachs moved to Falls Church, VA, and, two years later, settled in Reston, VA, where Lowell lived until his death. Over the next several years, be served as a senior-level civil servant in a number of government positions in the Washington area. In 1969, he earned a master of science in government administration from the George Washington University. Lowell’s principal areas of expertise included planning, budgeting, and management analysis. In recognition of his long service, Lowell received the Superior Service Award, the Sustained Superior Service Award, and the Meritorious Service Award from the various agencies where he worked. In the Virginia area, Lowell remained involved in community affairs. He was active in the Reston Community Players for many years — acting in, producing, and stage managing several productions. After his retirement from government service, Lowell went to work as Parish Administrator for St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church of Herndon, VA, where, since moving to Reston, he had been an active member of the vestry and served as a senior warden and treasurer, a layman, usher, and as supervisor of ushers and acolytes. One of Lowell’s lifelong passions was his love of classical music. He enjoyed listening to, studying, and attending opera performances. He shared this love with others. One of his granddaughters noted how he instilled in her his love of classical music. Travel to distant parts of the world was another of his keen interests. On one trip, he and Eloise visited Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, and on others they visited Australia, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. Throughout his adult life, Lowell was a staunch supporter of West Point, maintaining a keen interest in all matters concerning the United States Military Academy at West Point and his 1948 classmates. From about January 1965 until September 1986, he was the class scribe, writing for ASSEMBLY Magazine the comings and going of classmates scattered across the globe. This was a difficult task, dependent almost entirely on input from sometimes reluctant or preoccupied classmates, but he accomplished it diligently and selflessly for over 20 years. Lowell was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1993. While undergoing treatment, he continued to work at St. Timothy’s until about a week before his death on 3 May 1998. He was interred in the Chestnut Grove Cemetery, Herndon, VA, on 7 May 1998 (the 49th anniversary of his wedding). A large contingent of the Class of ’48 was present at his funeral to pay their final respects. The eulogy was delivered by his son Michael. Lowell’s life was dedicated to his country, his church, and his family. In both his personal and professional endeavors, he adhered to the principles exemplified by his Alma Mater. He is survived by his wife Eloise of Reston, VA, his three children, and eight grandchildren. —Les Carter, assisted by the Genebach family

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