Eugene R. McPhee was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the Eau Claire State Normal School in 1923 and his Masters of Arts from the University of Minnesota in 1932. McPhee was superintendent of schools in Winter and Elk Mound, Wisconsin, prior to serving as Principal of the Junior High of the Training School, and then Director of Teacher Training at the Eau Claire State Teachers College from 1932 to 1941. McPhee served during World War II in North Africa and Italy as a Reserved Major. When the war ended, McPhee was promoted to Colonel. In April 1948, Mr. McPhee was appointed acting secretary of the Board of Regents of State Normal Schools. Later in 1948, he was made director of the Board and served this position until 1970. In 1971, the WSU merged with the University of Wisconsin system and McPhee became a consultant and associate secretary of the new merged education board. McPhee passed away on May 10, 1975.

As of 2022, through the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation, a scholarship is named in honor of McPhee, the Eugene and Frances McPhee Scholarship. The scholarship awards $1,250. The applicant must be a senior majoring in education, with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better. They must participate in community, university, or school service.