Dr. Eugene Constant Fellin

December 30, 1942 – March 2, 2026

Dr. Eugene (Gene) Constant Fellin, whose ancestral hometown was Dambel (Val di Non), Italy located in the region of Trentino was born December 30, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He passed away peacefully at home on March 2, 2026, with his beloved wife, Maria, by his side. For more than five years, Maria cared for him at home with unwavering love, compassion, and grace — a reflection of their deep and enduring devotion.

A distinguished scholar, violinist, educator, and arts leader, Dr. Fellin devoted his life to music, scholarship, and mentoring generations of students and colleagues with dedication and integrity. In 1970, he was appointed to the position of Associate Professor of Music at Radford University. He was granted tenure in 1974, promoted to the rank of Professor of Music in 1980, and served as Department Chairman from March, 1975 to December, 2008. He was a visionary for the Radford University Department of Music. Under his leadership, the department strengthened its programs and cultivated a culture grounded in excellence and care for one another. The Music Therapy degree and Music Business degree came to fruition under his leadership. He achieved National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accreditation and served as the NASM official voting representative, visiting evaluator, and consultant. He treated colleagues and students with respect and was a passionate advocate for the arts. Many counted him as a mentor whose guidance and support left an enduring mark on their lives and careers.

Drawing on his architectural talents, Dr. Fellin worked tirelessly to bring his vision for the Douglas and Beatrice Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts at Radford University to life, with particular focus on the Davis Performance Hall. He was passionately involved in every detail, from the earliest planning stages through to the project’s completion. In recognition of his contributions to the Department of Music, the University graciously placed a plaque in this building honoring his accomplishments.

Internationally, Dr. Fellin served as Co-Chairman of the Ibla Grand Prize International Competitions and Festival and Chairman of the Bartók-Kabalevsky-Prokofiev International Piano Competition and Festival in Ragusa-Ibla, Sicily from 2004 to 2010. In Virginia, he served as President of the Council of Arts Administrators in Virginia Higher Education and as a consultant to the board of The New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. He was a member of the Theta Mu Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society, and the Xi Theta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America.

For more than 15 years, he organized and led cherished music trips to the Arena di Verona in Italy and the Stevens Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and co-directed trips to the Lincoln Center in New York City, bringing the beauty and significance of opera to as many people as possible. These trips brought joy to countless students, alumni, and music lovers.

Before dedicating himself fully to academia, Dr. Fellin performed professionally as a violinist in Milwaukee with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Florentine Opera Orchestra, the Music Under the Stars Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Bel Canto Chorus.

Dr. Fellin earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology in 1970 from University of Wisconsin–Madison, his Master of Music in Music History and Literature in 1966 from University of Michigan, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Violin Performance in 1964 from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. His scholarship on Italian Trecento music made meaningful contributions to the field of musicology.

In 1970, he married Maria Dolores Giuliani in Dambel, Italy, beginning a partnership that spanned more than five decades and was rooted in faith, devotion, and love. That same year, they moved to Radford, Virginia where he began his distinguished career at Radford University and raised their family. After his retirement, they moved to Zion Crossroads, Virginia to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Dr. Fellin was a man of deep passions who valued the importance of tradition. A devoted Catholic, he cherished attending Mass and exploring churches for their beauty and music, finding inspiration in both faith and artistry. He had a lifelong love of opera, Italian cars, and a fondness for travel, especially to Italy where he embraced the culture, cuisine, and landscapes. As a passionate gardener, he nurtured his yard, vineyard, and garden with care, filling them with life, color, and beauty. A loyal sports fan, he enthusiastically supported his favorite teams, including Italy’s national soccer team, the Azzurri; University of Michigan football and basketball (Go Blue!); Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks; and Scuderia Ferrari. Among his greatest pleasures in retirement was attending opera and concerts at beloved venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Opera House, the Arena di Verona, and Teatro La Fenice in Venice. The last concert he attended was at the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, where he delighted in the music of Joshua Bell on March 1, 2020.

He was a devoted and loving father, guiding his children with wisdom and gentle encouragement. He nurtured their interests, celebrated their achievements, and provided a strong foundation of faith, love, and values. As a steadfast provider, he made sure his family was cared for in every way and always put their well-being first. His children always knew he would drop everything to be there for them, offering guidance and support, and he took immense pride in the people they became.

He loved and adored his grandchildren and was very proud of them. He delighted in teaching them about music, sharing his love of the violin, and taking them to concerts to inspire their own appreciation for the arts. Every moment spent with them was filled with curiosity, guidance, and pure happiness. He loved his family to no end and nurtured his children and grandchildren with love, wisdom, and a very generous heart.

He is survived by his beloved wife of more than fifty-five years, Maria Fellin; his son Ryan Fellini with his wife Nora, and their son Luca; his son Kevin Fellin with his wife Kate, and their children Andrew and Caroline; and his daughter Luisa Rothwell with her husband Roger (Jr.), and their children Roger (III) and Ella; and many extended family members and friends who will cherish his memory. He was preceded in death by his parents, Primo and Blanche Fellin, his sister Lora Fellini, and his brother Don Fellin.

Dr. Fellin will be remembered for his profound intellect, his unwavering devotion to music and education, his love for Italy, and, above all, his devotion to family. Guided by steadfast faith and quiet strength, he inspired those around him and led with gentle wisdom. His legacy endures in the countless students he mentored and in the family he cherished so deeply.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the Basilica of Saint Andrew, 631 N. Jefferson Street, Roanoke, Virginia 24016. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. A Rite of Committal and reception with light refreshments will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Eugene C. Fellin Scholarship in Music, established in his honor in 2008. Donations can be made online at www.radford.edu/give and select the scholarship from the drop down menu or send your check payable to the Radford University Foundation, Inc. to P.O. Box 6893, Radford, Virginia 24142 with a note or in the memo line directing this gift to the Dr. Eugene C. Fellin Scholarship.

An online guestbook is available at www.compassionatecremationva.com

Compassionate Cremation Services of Ruckersville, VA is handling the arrangements.