Gene H. Bidell, retired chemist, devoted father, and grandfather, died April 2, 2008, days before his 76th birthday. Gene was born in 1932, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Harry and Marie Bidell during the height of the Depression. He was the second of three sons born to the couple. From an early age, Gene worked hard to support the family through the tough economic times. His work ethic persisted throughout his childhood and adult life. He was a runner up for the Jesse Ketchum Award, an academic honor bestowed on the best academic student in the City of Buffalo. He earned his associates degree from Erie Community College and his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Buffalo. In 1966, while working full-time, he earned his master of science degree in chemistry from Canisius College in Buffalo. He worked as a senior environmental scientist under the EPA, and successfully helped to clean Lake Erie. Gene met his wife, Angela, while working for the City of Buffalo. They were married in 1965, and spent nearly 43 years as husband and wife. The couple moved to the booming Buffalo suburb of Williamsville and had two children. Gene's career took him from one department to another: he worked as a forensic chemist for the City of Buffalo Police Department and then moved to the Town of Lewiston, N.Y., outside of Niagara Falls, where he started the Water Pollution Control Center and served as the head administrator for 14 years. He retired in 1993, and moved to Roanoke, Va., where he spent a total of 11 happy years. He traveled extensively with his family - crossing the country three times. He had a particular affection for Alaska and Hawaii. Gene is survived by his wife, Angie; daughter, Barbara Bidell and son-in-law, Larry Rush, all of North Las Vegas; his son, Robert Bidell, daughter-in-law, Susan Bidell, and granddaughters, Grace Bidell and Emily Bryan, all of Phoenix; brother, William Bidell and sister-in-law, Pat Bidell, of Ormond Beach, Fla., and Warsaw, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Beatrice Bidell; and mother-in-law, Serafina Markey, both of Buffalo; one niece and four nephews, all in Western New York. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Bidell; and his mother and father. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Palm Mortuary, 6701 N. Jones Blvd. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 10, at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church, 3050 Alta Drive. Interment will follow at Palm Memorial Park-Northwest.

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Brother: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/222489835/william-e-bidell