Gene was born in Springfield, Mass., and graduated from Springfield Technical High School. At Princeton he majored in philosophy and joined Tower Club. Senior year he roomed with Thomas Patton, Russ Smouse, and Michael Marden.

After Princeton Gene attended Harvard Law School and then joined the Navy Office of the Judge Advocate General. In 1962 he moved to Liberia, Africa, to teach law at the University of Monrovia. After Africa, he moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the Department of State.

In 1968 Gene moved to London, England, to pursue a private practice in international corporate law. In 1977 he returned to Washington, D.C., and represented clients ranging from civil-rights leaders to presidential candidates. From 1988 to 1996 he was the ombudsman for the International Monetary Fund.

Gene was a brilliant and unconventional lawyer, a loyal friend, and a loving and dedicated husband and father. He had an unmatched sense of humor and irony and, quite simply, was great company.

Gene is survived by his wife of 64 years, Myra; his daughter, Stephanie; and three grandchildren.