Eugene L. Step (Gene) passed away peacefully on December 24, 2014, in San Diego at the age of 85. Mr. Step is survived by his wife of 60 years, Hannah, 3 grown children; Steven, Michael and Jonathan, a sibling; Sally Clayman of Omaha, and 5 grandchildren; Samantha, Graham, Sydney, Andrew and Richard.
Gene was born on February 19, 1929, in Sioux City, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Benson High School, Omaha, NE in 1947 and among other honors, won the Nebraska High School State Championship in Debate. Mr. Step attended the University of Nebraska in Omaha, where he earned a B.A. degree in Economics and continued to the University of Illinois where he earned an M.S. degree in Accounting and Finance. He married Hannah Scheuermann in 1954 in Omaha and served two years in the US Army, rising to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Gene spent his entire professional career at Eli Lilly and Company. He retired from Eli Lilly in 1993 as Executive Vice President of the company and President of the Pharmaceutical division. His career at Lilly began in accounting and finance and transitioned to marketing and executive management. He rose to lead Lilly’s efforts establishing their business in Europe and after 5 years serving in England and France from 1964-1969, returned to Indianapolis as Vice President of the International division of the company. He was promoted to President of Pharmaceuticals in 1973 and joined the Lilly board of directors, remaining in those positions until his retirement in 1993.
Gene helped the early establishment of San Diego as a leading medical device and biotech center through his leadership of Lilly’s acquisition of a number of companies in the San Diego area including Hybritech and IVAC, and oversaw the formation of Guidant Corporation. Over the years, Gene served on the boards of directors for a number of corporate and charitable organizations including Guidant LLC., Medco Research, Cell Genesys, Inc., Ceregene, Inc., PathoGenesis Corporation, Scios, Inc., and DBT Online, Inc. Mr. Step also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Community Hospitals of Indiana, Trustee of The Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, Director, Trustee of the California Western School of Law, Trustee of the University of California San Diego Foundation where he was honored for playing a significant role in the fundraising for the new Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center. He held many industry positions including President of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Chairman of the Board of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, and as President of the International Foundation of Infectious Diseases.
A funeral is scheduled for Sunday, December 28th at 2:30 pm at Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego, 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, CA, 92122. Rabbi Michael Berk will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Cardiovascular Nurse Coordinator Fund, c/o Dr. Anthony DeMaria, UCSD, ECOB Building Office 3-079, 9444 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037-7411 or North Coast Repertory Building Fund, P.O. Box 136, 987 Loma Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075