Eugene “Gene” Dale Atkinson, age 79, passed away on September 4, 2024, in Vero Beach, FL. Gene was born on October 2, 1944, in Birmingham, AL. Gene was admitted to the United States Military Academy, Class of 1966. Gene excelled academically and starred on the West Point baseball team. With Gene’s leadership as captain, the team won two Eastern Conference championships. In 1966 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science with grades in the top ten percent of his class. Gene enlisted for immediate duty at the height of the Vietnam War and was awarded a Bronze Star for Outstanding Meritorious Service, as well as the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism for exceptionally courageous actions in the Vietnam Theatre. In 1970 Gene began his post-graduate education at Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and two years later he was a Distinguished Graduate receiving his Master of Business Administration degree. He then began his 27-year career at Goldman Sachs & Company in New York City and was promoted to Vice President of its Tokyo office in 1976. Gene fully embraced the role of global investment banker, relocating his family to Tokyo and becoming fluent in Japanese. By 1979 Gene had become the first Goldman Sachs partner in Asia and head of the Asia/Pacific region, and then served as the President of Goldman Sachs Japan from 1986 to 1988. In 1988 Gene and his family returned to New York City where he served as Chairman of Goldman Sachs International from 1988 until 1990.Following his retirement in 1999, Gene showed no signs of slowing down. He served as the Managing General Partner of Ripplewood Holdings, a private equity firm in New York City from 1999 to 2006; from 1995 to 2011 he served as a board member of Foster Wheeler; in 2005 Gene founded the New York-based Atkinson Capital LLC. Gene was an avid golfer and was a member of the John’s Island Club, Quail, and Redstick in Vero Beach, Florida, Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, and The Union Club of “The City Of New York.” Gene was predeceased by his parents, Thomas Eugene and Jewel Inez (Griffin) Atkinson. Surviving him is his wife, Susan Wylie Lovett of Vero Beach, Florida, and her three sons. Gene is also survived by Carol D. Atkinson, the mother of his two sons, ‘Trevor G. Atkinson of Santa Monica, California, and Shawn E. Atkinson, (Amy) and (Siena, Cameron, and Dixon) of Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Gene will be remembered for living his life by the code instilled in him at West Point: Duty, Honor, Country. These were the pillars of his life and were reflected in his life of leadership, purpose and charity. He was known for his kind and generous heart, his deep affection for his family and friends, and was admired by many. A memorial service and inturnment will be in October, at the Old Cadet Chapel, United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.
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