George E. Gebhardt ’40 of Coos Bay, Ore., died on January 24, 2010. Born in 1915, George was raised in Coos Bay and attended North Bend High School, where he was class president, won the extemporary speaking contest and was selected outstanding senior boy. After graduating in 1933, George attended Mines, where he earned a degree in geological engineering. On February 2, 1943, he married Kathleen Claire Crowley in Fort Belvoir, Va. George served in the Army during World War II; at the end of the war, he was serving as captain of an engineering battalion in France. After the war, he returned to work in the oil fields of Texas until 1947, when he was offered the chance to return to Coos Bay and operate a restaurant. By 1951, he was the sole owner of the Top Hat Drive-In. He and his wife ran this popular North Bend business for more than 17 years. From 1965 to 1980, he worked in real estate, and in 1985, he founded the successful Gebhardt Mining Company. For more than 45 years, George was an active member of the Coos Bay Lions Club and earned the highest awards from the organization. He was engaged in numerous community projects with local schools and governments. George is survived by his wife, Kay; daughter, Ann Leadon; sons, Charles and George, Jr.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.