Forrest Eugene Rieben Jr., 84

Forrest Eugene “Gene” Rieben Jr., passed away of natural causes on April 18, 2018, in Redlands, California.

He was born Nov. 15, 1933, in Great Falls to Forrest Rieben Sr. and Mina (Blossom) Rieben. The family moved to Ronan when Gene was 11 years old. After graduating from Ronan High School in 1951, Gene worked in the Great Northern Roundhouse in Great Falls for a short time, prior to entering the U.S. Army. He completed Signal Corps Training at Camp San Luis Obispo before shipping out for Germany, where he spent the duration of his military time.

On returning to Ronan, he was employed as an apprentice electrician by Flathead Electric in Polson. He used his GI benefits to attend Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. Gene completed his apprenticeship while working at Smith Electric in Polson and in 1959 joined the IBEW Local 768.

Kalispell became the family’s hometown, where all three children graduated from Flathead High. At various times Gene worked in Montana, Idaho, Utah, Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, Alaska and California. One of the last jobs he worked was in Shanghai, China.

Gene spent his spare time making improvements to their home and rental properties, and he developed many varied skills in the process. He enjoyed keeping busy and helping others.

After the children were grown, Gene and Shirley moved to San Jose, California, where Gene worked until he retired. They enjoyed the 25 years they lived in the Bay Area, traveling in their RV and visiting relatives and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by a daughter, Diane Louise (Steve) Gentry, formerly of Bakersfield; sister, Louise (Milton) DeWald; brother, Robert (Mary Tromp) and (Jan Bernhard) Rieben.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley (Herreid) Rieben of Redlands; daughter, Leslie (Joe) Pompa of Redlands; son, Mark (Chip) Atterbury-Rieben of Palm Springs, California; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Ronald (Alida Skogen) Rieben, of Clallam Bay, Washington, along with several nieces and nephews.