Life, Career and Interests of Gene R. Haislip

So heaven has received another angel
The night sky another star
Your life has become a loving memory
I know you will never be far.
I know you are watching over us
As our life goes on
I will treasure the memories I have of you
I cant believe your gone.
You were a loving caring father in law
You were there for me a lot
You will always hold a place in my heart
A loving treasured spot.
You were really one in a million
A cut above the rest
All that knew you would agree
You simply were the best.
So dad I will say goodbye
I love and miss you with all my heart
But as long as I have my loving memories
We will never be too far apart.

*GENE HAISLIP* died May 17, 2012
goodbye dad SIMPLY THE BEST

-- Day Haislip, daughter-in-law

Winchester, VA - Gene R. Haislip, 73, died peacefully at his home on May 17th, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Blanton Haislip, his sons, Brennan and Wrenn, his daughter-in-law, Day, his granddaughter, Caroline and siblings, Otis, Mary and Linda. He was born in Danville, Va. on July 14, 1938 to the late Otis Lee Haislip and Mary Elizabeth Haislip.

Haislip's education included a BA degree, in 1960, from The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA; an LLB degree from the William & Mary Law School in 1963; and an LLM degree from George Washington University in the following years. In his 22-year career with the Drug Enforcement Adminstration (DEA) he held several positions including Deputy Assistant Administrator of the DEA, and head of the Office of Diversion Control; the office responsible for enforcing the regulatory provisions of the Controlled Substances Act, the federal law which controls drugs, licit and illicit, having abuse potential. He pioneered important legislation, including the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988, a key weapon in the effort to combat illicit drug manufacture. Haislip worked with the United Nations and foreign officials to gain support for his program worldwide. Through his efforts both domestically and internationally, Gene Haislip has been recognized as the leading world expert and advocate for chemical control and the single individual most responsible for its global development.

(Click here to read the full detailed career accomplishments as posted on the DEA's internal website >>)

Following his retirement from public service, Haislip became well known and respected as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry in the private sector. He remained professionally active up until the time of his death.

Aside from professional interests, he was a talented artist who enjoyed painting a variety of subjects, including exotic locations he had visited, fantasy themes and reflections of his spiritual convictions. As a younger man, he was an enthusiastic and highly competent sailor. Family members have fond memories of adventures on the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waterways. He loved travel; he particularly enjoyed European and Latin American trips, for both business and pleasure. He and Patricia frequently cruised the Caribbean where they entertained other guests with their expert dancing. Haislip was an avid reader whose knowledge of history was extensive; he was often most happy when he discovered a book on some obscure topic.

Along with his wife, Gene was known for hosting parties for his neighbors, who were entertained by exhibits of his artwork and his witty, intelligent conversation. He was also a popular figure around town in Safety Harbor, Florida, where he and Patricia enjoyed vacationing and visiting their son, daughter -in -law and granddaughter and occasionally rendezvousing with their other son who at times was in Florida during transit from his residence in Guatemala. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father, and doting grandfather to his beloved Caroline. Poobah, as he was affectionately known by her, left a legacy for this little girl to cherish for a lifetime. Haislip was always the family man; and we are all eternally grateful for everything that he has done for us.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service and Reception, Sunday, June 24, 2012, 2-5 PM, at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, 901 Amherst St, Winchester, VA.