Gene I. Vandenberg, Appleton, 65, died on Sunday February 13, 2011 at Appleton Medical Center. He was born April 20, 1945 in Neenah to the late Isadore and Louise (Blohm) Vandenberg. He attended Kimberly High School graduating in 1963. Gene served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam from 1964-1968 as a 3rd class fire control technician aboard the USS Chipola and USS Ponchatoula.

After the service he worked for G&L and other companies as a machinist. Gene travelled the U.S., Europe and Asia to help set up paper machines.

He was involved with BMW Motorcycles and belonged to Badger Motorcyclists of Wisconsin and BMWMOA. In 1975 he bought a BMW and worked for the BMW dealer in Marquette, MI.

Gene got out of biking for awhile. At this time he moved back to Appleton and worked for Valmet for a number of years. He enjoyed camping, bowling, fishing and golf.

In 2003 Gene was diagnosed with cancer and had major back surgery.

Back into biking 2004 he rode solo and with friends to National Rallies in Washington, Ohio, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Tennessee and Oregon. His favorite rally was the Finger Lakes Rally in New York. He also helped lots of fellow BMW riders with HID and LED lights for their bikes.

Gene is survived by his son, Joe (Marie), Menasha; grandchildren Austin and Savannah May; brothers: Rick (Sandy) and Mike (Vicki); and sisters: Joan (Kevin) Deno and Janet (Bill) Meyer. He is further survived by step brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday February 17, 2011 at O'CONNELL FUNERAL HOME (201 E. Main Street Little Chute) from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Gene's family would like to thank the staff at Theda Clark, Appleton Medical Center – Martha Siekman Cancer Center, Dr. McGuire, Dr. Phillips and especially his nurse Larry in the ICU.