Eugene Eastep, age 91, of Hot Springs, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at Custer Regional Senior Care.


Gene also known as 'Red' grew up in Chadron Nebraska and moved his senior year to his birthplace of Livingston, Montana and graduated from high school in Livingston in 1938. Shortly after graduation he hopped a rail car and made his way to Richmond California to work on the docks. He was drafted in March of 1944 and was honorably discharged in April of 1946. During that time he was a part of the 303rd Infantry Regiment. He received the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Army Occupation Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Gene was proud to have served in the Army in the European and Pacific theaters as well as being one of the first soldiers in the occupation of Japan.

After the war, he moved to Hot Springs SD to go into business with his older brother John Eastep. Gene bought the business from John and together the two brothers ran Eastep's Shoes and Western Wear until 1977. The store was a gathering place for locals, farmers and ranchers throughout the area. Gene was a lifelong member of the Hot Springs Elks Lodge, American Legion, VFW, a founding member of the Southern Hills Country Club, early supporter of the Mammoth Site, former city council member and active in many other community organizations.


On October 19, 1949 he married Pauline Catherine Zachar, a pretty young VA nurse from Thief River Falls, MN. Together they raised two children, Janet and Ron. For the last 15 years of their 60-year marriage, Gene devoted his time and energy into caring for Pauline who suffered from Alzheimer's until her death April 8, 2010. Family and friends admired his true devotion to Pauline, taking her for drives in the Black Hills and for the last seven years he spent many nights and days by her side, holding her hand and talking about all of the good times they had together.


Gene's passions included hunting, fishing and golfing. He especially enjoyed teaching his only grandchild, Johnathan, the game of golf.


Gene was the youngest of 13 children born to Volney C. Eastep and Ettie Hash Eastep of Willsell, Montana. He is survived by his last living sibling, Vergie Trent, age 100, of Boise Idaho. Survivors also include his son, Ronald Eugene Eastep, Keystone; a daughter, Janet (Brian) Boyer, Custer; a grandson, Johnathan Stahl, Custer; a special niece, Pat Rasmussen, Ravenna, NE; and special nephews, Don Lliteras, Alliance, NE and John Lliteras, Newcastle, WY and many other nieces and nephews.

A wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hot Springs.


Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with Father Thomas Tierney officiating. Interment will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hot Springs.

A luncheon will be held at St. Anthony's fellowship hall following the interment.

A memorial for Hot Springs American Legion Baseball has been set up in Gene's name. Contributions may be sent to American Legion Club, 1045 Jennings Avenue, Hot Springs, SD 57747

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapels of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.