Gene Henderson, a beloved figure of Comic-Con International, has left us at the age of 88. Gene was a lifelong comic book fan and a constant presence and participant in Comic-Con. He was a board member, an officer, a director of security, an archivist, the curator of the convention art show, the coordinator of the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award…it might be easier to list the things Gene didn't do for Comic-Con.
He and his wife Mary served the con in so many ways and were inseparable until her passing in March of 2016 after close to sixty years of wedded bliss. Some folks referred to them as the Dad and Mom of Comic-Con or at least Uncle and Aunt. I thought the great thing about them was how nice and joyful they were to everyone and how they fit in so well with us younger folks. They were not only at every Comic-Con, they could always be found there filling many useful, helpful functions. Just great people.