The Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning lost one of its long time friends and greatest supporters in July 2005 when former student Ollie Eugene “Gene” Schrickel Jr. ’50, died in Arlington. He was 78 year old.

Over the last 40 years Gene was an untiring supporter of land-scape architecture throughout the state, his local community, and at Texas A&M. Through his personal contributions, and those of his firm, Schrickel Rollins & Associates, Gene was an articulate voice for the potential and the responsibilities of landscape archi-tecture. He was professionally involved in the planning and de-sign of many Arlington parks and golf courses and major land-scape projects at the University of Texas at Arlington and the Texas A&M campus, as well as project throughout the states.

His active citizenship led him to many years of participation in a wide range of activities in support of his community and his pro-fession. As one of a handful of practitioners in his day, he was instrumental in the registration of landscape architects in Texas, served as president of the Texas chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, director of the national Council of Park and Recreation Consultants, trustee of the American Society of Landscape Architects and a member of the Texas Board of Archi-tectural Examiners. Active in his local community, he served as a founder and board president of the Arlington Tennis Association, and the Arlington YMCA building campaign. He was a board member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Arlington Visitors and Convention Bureau Advisory, president of Arlington Rotary Club, and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church.

In spite of his incredibly busy life, Gene always found time to support Texas A&M. A frequent and active promoter of the de-partment, his contributions were indispensable to the develop-ment of the program we have today. He was always pleased to have students visit his office and learn about his multidisciplinary practice. He would not hesitate to invite a student, or a busload, to come in for a tour of the office and then take them, one or all, to a restaurant for lunch; all the while telling them about how lucky they were to have chosen such an exciting profession at such a great university.

“No small number of our graduates went into practice with the confidence to build highly successful careers because Gene had told them they could do it,” recalled Michael Murphy, associate professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture.

After returning from Navy service during World War II, Gene came to A&M to study landscape architecture, receiving his B.S. degree in 1950. While pursuing his degree Gene found time to play basketball, serving as team co-captain his senior year. He was a member of the Texas A&M Letterman’s Club, the 12th Man Foundation, and the Association of Former Students. He was also inducted into the University of Texas at Arlington, Athletic Hall of Honor where he lettered in basketball, tennis and baseball when he attended for one year prior to World War II.

In 1993 he established the Gene Schrickel Jr. Endowed Scholar-ship, which provides annual funds to A&M graduate and under-graduate students of landscape architecture. In 1998, he was honored as an Outstanding Alumnus by the College of Architec-ture.

“Sadly, some of the younger students missed the opportunity to meet him and experience his enthusiasm and wit,” Murphy said. “Those of us who were privileged to have known him will miss his friendship, his leadership and his inspiration. His pioneering work to establish the profession in Texas is a legacy that benefits each of us as landscape architects, as well as our society that enjoys the results of our work,” he continued. “Thank you Gene and God speed.”