Gene E. Schadow was one of the most active members of the Park community in the 1950’s through the 70’s, insuring most every bar and restaurant along Excelsior Blvd.
Schadow was born in 1923 and graduated from Park High. Parents John C. and Hazel L. Schadow lived in the Park in the 1940s. After attending the U of M, he served in the Phillippines in World War II. Upon his return he went into the insurance business with former High School Principal Al Martinson. He married wife Jean in 1946, and they moved to the Park in 1949. Subsequent marriages were to Mary in the 1970s and Lynn in the 1980s. He eventually bought out Martinson, then went into property casualty insurance in the late 1950s. His civic activities include:
City Councilman
Jaycees (Outstanding Young Man in 1958 at age 33)
President, Chamber of Commerce
President, Lion’s Club
Exchange Club
Masons
VFW
Parks and Rec Commission
Police Commissioner
King Richard, Robin Hood Days
Son Bruce joined the firm in 1965, and son Mark in 1971. Their other sons are Craig, a chiropractor in Coon Rapids, and Chris, a CPA. Gene retired in 1980 and moved south. He died on February 25, 2000.
