LTC (Ret.) Eugene C. Chandler
1928 - 2010

LTC (Ret.) Eugene C. Chandler, a 1949 initiate and member of the North Carolina A&T University, Alpha Nu Chapter; passed to the Chapter Invisible on May 31, 2010. Chandler, son of sharecroppers, was born October 22, 1928. He received his commission in the United States Army in 1951 and began active military service as an Infantryman in the Korean War. During his distinguished military career, this 101st Airborne and Ranger trained war hero won many medals and ribbons, including: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Vietnamese Honor Medal First Class.

Life Member and Founding Polemarch of the Aberdeen Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Chandler received a degree in Chemistry and was named one of “A&T’s Most Influential Graduates,” which became a template for his life activities. Appointed by Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening, Gene Chandler served as a six-year member of the Harford County Board of Education, where he quickly demonstrated leadership skills and was soon elected President of the Board. Recognized for his superb leadership, Gene Chandler received the Charles W. Willis Memorial Award, the highest distinction conferred by the Maryland Association of Boards of Education. His profound commitment to community service underscored his many leadership positions which included: Board Member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County; President of the Harford County NAACP; Executive Board member of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education; Chairman & CEO of the Harford and Cecil Counties Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation; General Chairman of the Gene Chandler Golf Classic benefitting sickle cell anemia research.

After retirement from the United States Army in 1971, Colonel Chandler was employed as Special Assistant to TECOM Commanding General, serving as the Command's first full-time Equal Employment Manager until retiring in 1996. He was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in historic Havre de Grace, Maryland. For his outstanding work, Gene Chandler has received numerous proclamations, including but not limited to those from: The Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Howard University, Maryland Governors Parris N. Glendening and Martin J. O’Malley, and United States Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin.

LTC Chandler is survived by his wife of 63 years, Inez Bonner Chandler; one daughter, Linda Joyce; a faithful son-in-law, Jim Keeler; grandchildren; and other relatives.