Gene H. Hemphill, 80

March 23, 2025

Gene, H. Hemphill, 80, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2025. He was born in Joliet, Illinois and was the son of the late Clair J. and Alice E. “Betty” Watson Hemphill.

Gene was raised on a grain farm in northern Illinois and attended North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. After his education, he chose a career path in communications, starting with nine years as a journalist and columnist until his farm roots drew him back to agriculture and managing media relations for the Illinois Farm Bureau. Beginning in 1981, he served as an agricultural spokesperson and speechwriter for President Reagan and Secretary of Agriculture John R. Block. He began working for New Holland in July 1987 and was a manager of North American Industry Affairs when he retired in 2009.

He was devoted to his work, but enjoyed evenings cooking on the grill and listening to his lifelong favorite, Elvis Presley. His family will remember him for his storytelling ability—especially his witty travel tales and humorous life anecdotes.

Gene is survived by four children; Jennifer Hemphill Tatroe, Adam Hemphill, Marc Hemphill, and Megan Hemphill; as well as three grandchildren, Hadden, Ronin, and Daegan; and his siblings, Lois Walker, Ray Hemphill, and Ross Hemphill.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Those desiring may send contributions in Gene’s memory to the American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give.