I was a freshman, taking Introduction to Mass Communication at UW-Oshkosh. It was an intro class, nothing to write home about. But there was something that would always make me interested: Gene would always use an opportunity to mention technology, namely Apple Macintosh computers.

Having a roommate who had a Mac-clone, I was interested in knowing more about Macs, and Gene proved to be quite a source. After class, we would spend five minutes or so chatting about the new system patches, application updates, rumored hardware, and everything else that was Apple news. One day, I had gotten up to leave and decided to forego my usual after-class chat session. Before I could get to the door, Gene called for me, “Paco, could you stay a minute? I have to talk to you.” He asked me if I could help out with the department’s computers.

He was giving me a job.

Naturally, I took it, and gradually built upon my knowledge of the Macintosh platform. Gene was full of tips and tricks and horror stories about his experiences with computers. We would talk for hours. When he retired, I lost that fellow computer guru with whom I’d share my techno-dealings. The next time I saw him we were attending a Journalism Department banquet, and the first thing he said was “I bought one of those external USB drives!” We had lots of toys to discuss. The man sure did love his computer gadgets.

With the passing years, my knowledge of Macs snowballed. I continued to work at the Journalism Department throughout college, worked there briefly after college, and then occasionally provided the faculty with technical insight while I worked elsewhere. I now work at the UWO Art Department, caring for their Macs. I was able to get the job because of the experience I had gained and the reputation I had built at the J-Department.

And it all started with Gene, simply listening.

I owe him tremendously. I will miss him, but surely never forget him.

Tony J. Palina
Computer Technician and all-around Mac Geek
UW-Oshkosh Department of Art

For me (and I assume for many others), my favorite memories of Gene Hintz were not spent in a classroom. My favorite memories were simply spent in his office, just talking about sports, history and life in general. OK, maybe not talking on my end. Just listening to his stories about covering the Packers, about his work for UPI, about being a witness to so much history. In his office, he wasn't simply a professor talking to a student. He was a friend talking to a friend.

I'm sure Gene could have spent his office hours cloistered away with his work, but he loved sharing his passion for journalism with his students. And we benefited in so many ways from his wisdom, his advice, his easygoing way, his infectious laugh, his knowledge and experience. His classes were challenging, and he demanded nothing short of your best work. But you wanted to give your best for him, because he gave his best to you. I gained my passion for journalism from him. I gained my passion for covering sports from him. And he passed on so much of his passion for living life to the
fullest to me, and so many others who learned from him over the years. Our prayers are with Gene, his family and many friends.

Don Stoner
Sports Information Director
Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minn.
UW-Oshkosh Class of 1991 (news/editorial)

Gene was a true professional who will be missed. While his exceptional professional career in the business earned our respect, his gentle and kind way of inspiring great things from his students gained our admiration. What was more fun than going to Gene's office to discuss an assignment and ending up chatting about the Packers or Brewers for the next 45 minutes?

Gene, you are missed.

Randy F. Radtke,
Editor of the Ripon Commonwealth Press
UW-O Class of 1996

Gene was a kind, friendly man. He taught with a common-sense, down-to-earth style that reflected his real-world experience. And he always had time for you, whether it was to further your education or just chat about fishing. Like anyone who had Gene as an instructor -- and a friend -- I will miss him.

Brian Lovett
Editor
Bass Pro Shops' Outdoor World

It's always too late, isn't it? Too late to say “thank you” in the most-appropriate manner? Well, Gene, thank you for being a friend, teacher, confidant and mentor. I hope you understood and appreciated the fact that I was not alone in considering you a great influence on my career and on my life. From the details of editing to the big-picture ethics of reporting, Gene Hintz didn't merely teach, he lived education, and so many sportswriters have benefited from his experiences. God bless him in his new life as he blessed us in ours.

Rocky Landsverk
Editorial Director
Sports Department
Krause Publications
1990 UWO graduate

I can say, without a hint of exaggeration, that Gene Hintz was the biggest influence on my career choice. In 1988, I started what was essentially my sophomore year at UW Oshkosh. Like so many other students, I really hadn't a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life, much less have a roadmap of how to get where I wanted t be. I had always loved journalism, but so many folks told me I'd never be able to make a decent living at it. I heeded that advice and opted for the AD/PR emphasis. Although I stayed with the emphasis through graduation in 1991, Gene took me under his wing after having me as a student in his newswriting course. Over the next three years, Gene used every trick in the book to coerce me to enroll in his classes, including sitting in his office for hours on end and re-telling stories of his days as a Packers reporter and sharing countless tales of his past hunting and fishing experiences in northern Wisconsin and Canada. During my final year, he went so far as to add a spot for me in a course that was already filled.
Professor Hintz brought a realism to teaching that I had never experienced -- he cared about me as a student and as a person. His guidance provided me with the roadmap, and I am still living by his advice: Life is much more enjoyable when you follow your heart.

Daniel E. Schmidt
Editor, Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine
UW-Oshkosh Class of '91

I could sit back and listen to his Packer/Lombardi stories for hours. He always had a smile on his face and was always there for me when I had a question, needed advice on my homework or an A-T article, or when I needed a pat on the back when things got tough. He truly cared for the students and would always find time for you. I'll miss him.

Tom Hultman
Managing Editor
Tuff Stuff Magazine
Class of 1988