Gene Bridgewater

   Wallace Eugene Bridgewater, one of three children of Wallace James and Harriett Ann (Rhoades) Bridgewater, was born March 15, 1941, in Auburn, Nebraska.  Gene grew up in Brownville, Nebraska, where he went to school until transferring and graduating from Nemaha High School.

   Gene married Connie Groff, and the couple was blessed with the birth of Brad, Daniel, Kenneth, Tracy, and a stillborn son Brian.   The couple divorced after 41 years of marriage.

   Gene spent many years working on the Missouri River.   He was a deck hand on the Meriwether Lewis, and later was a river boat captain.  In recent years he worked at Cooper Nuclear Station in Brownville as lead utility man.

   A self-proclaimed “River Rat”, Gene loved spending time on the river and just being outdoors in general.

   After an illness, Gene passed away at his home in Brownville on Friday, March 22, 2024, one week after his 83^rd birthday.   His son Brian, parents Wallace and Harriett, sister Barbara Ann, and nephew Michael Carl Dunn preceded him in death.

   Gene is survived by his sons and daughter-in-law Brad and Jayne of Idaho Falls, ID, Daniel of Auburn, Kenneth of Brownville; daughter Tracy Bridgewater of Council Bluffs, IA; grandchildren McKenzie Bridgewater, Sierra Lively, Kolton, Levi, and Bryna Bridgewater, Lindsey Salmela; 5 great grandchildren (and one on the way); sister Joyce Dunn of Brownville; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

   A Celebration of Life is planned for this summer, with details to be determined.

   Memorials may be sent to family members or to the funeral home to be forwarded to the family.