Gene Herring, a longtime DCI volunteer (and a former corps director), passed away peacefully and surrounded by family at his home in Canton, Ill., last night after a long illness. "Gene was a magnificent volunteer and friend to many over the years," said DCI executive director Dan Acheson. "Gene was loved by many over the years, but truly it is the corps members that I know Gene always loved the most. They saw him as a calming and loving force at events. DCI is extremely grateful for how much of his life was devoted to the drum corps activity. We will continue to keep Gene and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this very tough time. The finale went well on Saturday night because Gene showed the way to the next group of guys to take it on," Acheson said. A visitation will be held this Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005, at the Oaks-Hines Memorial Home in Canton. Herring's family said that memorials in Herring's memory should be made to DCI.