Eugene Hockett

Dr. Eugene (Gene) Hockett was born in Havre, Montana on December 15, 1927. After celebrating his 96th birthday and Christmas at home, he passed away, following a short illness. He served in the US Army Air Corps in Alaska and earned degrees at Montana State College in agronomy, and a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of California, at Davis. He spent most of his professional career working for the US Department of Agriculture at Montana State University in Bozeman, as a winter wheat and barley breeder, from 1957 - 1993. His team developed and released 11 barley and 3 winter wheat varieties, and he travelled to over 25 countries, working with international scientists to improve crop quality, health and production around the world. Hockett barley was named for him, to recognize his career long contributions to the improvement of barley varieties. He inspected certified seed fields after “retirement” because he enjoyed seeing Montana and meeting the farmer producers.

He enjoyed woodworking, reading, volunteering at the Bozeman hospital, and hunting and fishing. He loved Montana; he never passed a roadside history sign, museum or ghost town and preferred to take the scenic back road on a trip.

He was an active member of his church and constantly gave an example of his deep, personal faith by how he lived and treated everyone he met.

He was a constant source of love, encouragement and inspiration for his five daughters and all of his extended family.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sharon and by daughters Sue Mills, Robin Hein, Kim Cortes, Sherrill King and Lisa Bradley, and many nephews, nieces, and grand and great grand children.

No services are planned at this time.