Dr. Gene E. Plank

Gene E. Plank, Emporia, Kansas, went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Sunflower Care Homes. He was 94 years old.

Gene was born on September 19, 1929, in Woodbine, Kansas, the son of Cecil and Gladys (Book) Plank. He married Betty Jo Shinn on February 5, 1952, in Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Gene joined the United States Army, where he served for two years. Upon the death of his first- born son, he was given an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army.  Gene graduated from the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia with Bachelors, Masters and Specialist degrees, and earned his Doctorate in Psychology and Special Education from The University of Kansas - all the while helping raise 7 children. He was a Professor of Psychology and Special Education at Emporia State University for 30 years, retiring in 1998.  He continued to work with several of his students, free of charge, during his retirement.

Survivors include wife Betty Jo, Emporia, KS; sons Gary (Kari) Plank, Flagstaff, AZ; Elwin (Sheri) Plank, Andover, KS; Kevin (Carrie) Plank, Madison, AL;  daughters Stephanie Clements, Emporia, KS; Debbie (Tom) Sack, Lawrence, KS; Tina Plank, Emporia, KS; Sheryl (Chris) Simonis, Mt. Juliet, TN; brother Arvid Plank, Hope, KS; sisters Angeline Stevens, Salina, KS; Janet (J.R.) Hofmann, Alta Loma, CA;  grandchildren Adrian, Gwen, Joshua, Povi, Sayti, Jared, Lindsey, Jessica, Noah, Aaron, Ashley, Heather; great-grandchildren Alex, Leah, Amos, Kennedy, Thomas, Elijah, Addison, Cannon, Josie, Brady, Charlie and two more on the way; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, son Gene Plank, Jr. (born on Gene Sr.'s birthday), sister Laurel Scott, and brothers Arnold Plank and Thaine Plank.

Gene was proud to attend The First Friends Church of Emporia for many years. He was also an active member of the Emporia Area Retired School Personnel, Council of Exceptional Children, Phi Delta Kappa, Kansans for Life, ESU Alumni Association, and the KU Alumni Association.

The family will receive friends Friday, May 24, 2024, from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, 605 State, Emporia, Kansas. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. at Embrace Church, 428 Union, Emporia, Kansas. Private family burial will take place later in the afternoon at Rosebank Cemetery near Hope, Kansas.

Memorials can be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities and The Shiloh Home of Hope, Emporia, and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas, 66801.