Franklin Eugene "Gene" Metz

Franklin Eugene Metz passed away peacefully at his home in Woodside Plantation, Aiken, SC on April 10, 2026.

Gene was born in Greenville, SC on March 27, 1934 to James Lorenzo Metz and Azleen Hughes Metz. He attended elementary and high school in Anderson, SC. Upon graduation he was offered a track scholarship to Clemson University where pole vaulted and ran cross country. He aspired to be an architect, but at that time Clemson did not offer a major in architecture. So, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering in 1956. Following graduation from Clemson, he joined the architectural firm of John Lambert in Anderson.

Gene married his longtime sweetheart, Mary Dunlap Seawall of Anderson on December 21, 1956. In 1958, Gene and Mary moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana so that Mary could enter the Louisiana State University (LSU) graduate program in French. Gene was hired as an instructor in the LSU Department of Architecture where he excelled in teaching. He was promoted to Assistant Professor and later to associate professor with tenure. He took a year’s leave from LSU to pursue a master’s degree in architecture at the University of California, Berkeley.

Gene left his position at LSU to accompany his wife to Frederick, Maryland where she had been appointed Provost and Dean of the Faculty at Hood College. He took a position at the National Bureau of Standards where he developed performance criteria and standards for solar heating and cooling buildings.

When Mary was appointed to the presidency of Mills College in Oakland, California, Gene was hired by the University of California, Berkeley, to the position of Director of Design and Construction. Gene was vitally interested in civic activities, especially in the preservation and restoration of the historic John Marsh House in Brentwood, California. He provided leadership to the John Marsh Historic Trust for many years.

Gene retired from “Cal” in 1992 to return to the practice of architecture, specializing in residential architecture. He designed the renovation and expansion of many small cottages in Oakland, California for young couples as they began to have children. Gene continued to practice architecture until he and Mary moved to Aiken, SC to be closer to their family. Gene died peacefully with Mary at his side on April 10, 2026.

He is survived by his wife and daughter, Gena.

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC