Eugene R. Darby

RICHMOND, Ind. – Eugene R. Darby, age 91, of Richmond, died Wednesday, August 12, 2015, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born March 13, 1924, in Converse, Indiana, to Russell and Mabel Goldie Kirk Darby, Gene had lived in Richmond since 1969. He was a 1942 graduate of Converse High School in Converse, Indiana. Gene served in the United States Navy during World War II. Gene later received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, his master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and served his residency at Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute in San Francisco, California. He worked for the Richmond State Hospital, as the Assistant Superintendent and then the Superintendent, from 1969 to 1995. Gene had also served in hospital administration at the VA Hospital in Marion, Indiana; Logansport State Hospital in Logansport, Indiana; and Huntington State Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. He was bestowed the honor of being named Kentucky Colonel in 1967 and Admiral of the Cherry River Navy in West Virginia. Gene had been a member of the Richmond Noon Kiwanis and the Richmond Elks Lodge #649, was former president and campaign chairman for the United Way, served on the board of directors of the American Mental Hospitals Association, served as president of Area 7 and president of Logansport, Indiana Symphony Orchestra, and served on the board of directors at Sangra Lei Home for Boys in Logansport, Indiana. Gene received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Robert Orr and Distinguished Hoosier Award from Governor Evan Bayh in 1995. Survivors include his wife, Margaret E. “Peg” Kuehn Darby, to whom he was married on February 19, 1949; children Debra (Terry) Kovacich of Lewisburg, Missouri, Peter (Janie) Darby of Manassas, Virginia, and David Charles Darby of Seattle, Washington; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation for Eugene R. Darby will be from 12 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2015, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Military honors will be provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. A memorial service will follow at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2015, in the Friends Fellowship Community Assembly Room (First Floor), 2030 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, with Chaplain Edward R. McFarland officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Richmond State Hospital, 498 N.W. 18th Street, Richmond, IN 47374 or a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Eugene R. Darby

March 13, 1924 - August 12, 2015