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Eugene Francis Katona
November 11,1946 - May 29, 2025
Eugene Katona died on May 29, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana, after a long illness. He was predeceased in Cincinnati by his mother, Rose Hoffner Katona, and later by his father, Dr. Nicholas M. Katona, MD, and his step-mother, Ella Dorfman Katona. A 1964 graduate of Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Eugene received his BA, MA and PhD from the University of Cincinnati, then worked as an audiologist for the Veterans Administration as well as consulting audiologist to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. A talented guitarist and songweriter, he performed with a number of bands, including Torquays, Them, The Sacred Mushroom and Surdy-Greebus. His versatile career included work as a professional recording engineer and videographer, manager of art house movie theaters and stage companies, including Playhouse in the Park. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), but an injury suffered during filming of Independence Day ended his Hollywood career. For nearly a decade he was merchandise manager for nationwide tours of Rick Steiner Production's Tony-award winning musicals, among them Smokey Joe's Cafe, Hairspray and Jersey Boys.
Eugene is survived by his daughter, Amanda, amd former wife, Sharolyn Smith, both of Cincinnati; sister Andrea Pactor (Jon) of Indianapolis; brother, Steven Katona (Susan Lerner) of Bar Harbor, Maine, and nephews, a niece and grand nieces in Indianapolis, Connecticut and California.
No services. Contributions may be made to the Walnut HIlls High School Alumni Foundation for the WHHS Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund, 320 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45027.
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Paul Simons
Very sorry to hear this. Euge played bass in a couple of bands with me, Dave Buchholz, Larry Fry, Larry Horwitz in early days and then George Makrauer, Stan Hertzman, Euge and I worked steadily around the area. He was the one with the adventurous, upbeat sense of humor and he played a terrific bass. He was also the "chick magnet" since he looked and could sing like Paul McCartney. His memory is a blessing for all who knew him.
http://www.themtorquays.com/
Ann Shepard (Rueve)
Eugene and I became good buddies after one of our reunions, probably 2010 and kept in touch on Facebook. So sorry for his loss. I will keep his memory in my heart.
David Buchholz
Another punch in the gut. I have a framed photograph on my wall of the Torquays taken during our Peanuts performance in 1963, with Larry Fry, Euge, Paul, and me launching the first notes of "What'd I Say' through the four ten-inch Jensen speakers on my beloved Fender Concert amp. I saw him last at the reunion, and while Si played lead, I played rhythm, Euge detuned a guitar and kept the beat, while David Schneider turned the clock back. That we could all do that. Euge spoke of considerable physical issues then, and I suspect that they finally got the better of him. So sorry to read. Euge was a good man.
Mary Benjamin
I'm so sorry to hear about Eugene. He was part of my life in a subtle but sweet way from early Rose Hill and North Avondale days. I would also see him often later on when I went to visit Ricky on Rose Hill through the years. The loss of a familiar, kind and comforting presence. May his memory be a blessing.
Gail Weintraub (Stern)
Even though I knew Eugene in high school, I really grew to know him when I visited Cincinnati and stayed at Rick Steiner's home on Rose HIll in North Avondale. For many years, Euge lived at Rose Hill. We would often sit in the kitchen and have long, wide ranging conversations. As the years passed, the converstions focused more and more on Euge's health. He had multiple medical issues and, toward the end of his stay at Rose Hill, he was nearly blind and had great difficulty walking even with a walker.
After leaving Rick's home, Euge moved to Indiana where he bought a home and lived a fairly isolated life. We spoke on the phone infrequently, but it was good to stay connected with him. We hadn't spoken for several years when I learned of his death.
I'll miss Eugene. He was a kind person who cared deeply about others, especially his daughter Mandy. His body may have failed him, but he always remained positive.
RIP dear Eugene. Your memory will always be a blessing.
Jon Singer
My parents were best buds with Rose and Nick( who was our sourse of health care) and maintained their relationship with Ella/Nick. My brother Barry was a contemporary of Steve and Euge and I shared the same birthday. Because of our family association, I was forever hanging at 1 Burton Woods Lane and we shared young kid home and away overnights. Every Halloween, we met up at their place and hit the lucrative N. Avondale route together. I was a long term groupie with his bands up until college Mug Club days. Then Euge was one of the first of our gang struck with cancer. He went thru aggressive management and licked an almost certain early death. Further physical and mental limitations distanced him with age and we lost touch. As others, I am sad to learn of his death and will hold his memory in my heart.
Ann Shepard (Rueve)
David referenced the impromptu reunion of the Torquays. I caught it on tape:
https://youtu.be/QQhY4Nx8jms?si=nyPoIglyEXW0Ne9w
Paul Simons
Thanks Ann, good to have that link. At the risk of being irreverent - which Euge would approve - a photo from where we're all reluctantly, inexorably heading - and if anyone knows where Dana Cohen is tell him break is over, time to get back to work - photo taken at Spring Grove Cemetery. Eugene always did find a way to take off and get airborne, one way or another. Another photo - Peanuts 1963 -