Eugene ""Hop"" Houtman

MADISON -- Eugene ""Hop"" Houtman, age 75, of Madison, died Thursday, September 23, 2010 at Madison East Hospital. He was born on February 27, 1935 on a farm near Volga, South Dakota, the son of Henry and Martha (Dykhouse) Houtman. He attended a one-room school in Volga through eighth grade, and after graduating from Volga, SD High School, he attended South Dakota State University, where he received a degree in civil engineering in 1957. After college, Gene moved to Wisconsin to work for the State Highway Commission as an engineer. He quickly discovered an aptitude for computers, however, and spent the rest of his career doing everything from systems programming to user support for the Highway Commission, and then the Department of Transportation. After retiring from the State in 1990, he continued consulting for several years. Since retiring, one of Gene's favorite pastimes was enjoying Jeopardy every afternoon over an iced tea or an occasional beer with a group of friends at his neighborhood pub. Gene was a doting father and brother, and a terrific friend and neighbor. Survivors include his daughter, Rebecca Houtman of New Orleans, Louisiana; his son, Benjamin Houtman of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Eleanor Enright of Utah and Marcia Houtman Kline of Texas; and a brother, Joel Houtman of California. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gerben Houtman, and his sister Greta DeBates. He was adamant that he not be given a traditional funeral or visitation, but that instead, friends and relatives gather for a party at his neighborhood tavern, which they will do on Thursday, September 30. His ashes will be scattered at a later date on the family farm in South Dakota, which his sister and her family have restored to a native prairie ecosystem. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wisconsin Council for the Blind, 754 Williamson St. Madison, WI 53703-3546 (608) 255-1166, Independent Living, 815 Forward Drive Madison, WI 53711 (608) 274-7900 www.independliving.com, or the Brookings County (South Dakota) Historical Society, Box 608, Volga, SD 57071.  Cress Funeral & Cremation Service