has there ever been a generation of Christians that didn't think that Jesus was about to return?

I don't know of any Christian church that teaches Jesus is about to return. To my knowledge, none of the large Protestant churches teaches that Jesus will return soon, and The Catholic Church certainly does not teach that.

In my opinion,

a very realistic understanding of this will tell everyone that "the end is near".

That's because human life passes quickly, and when we leave this life we will meet Jesus. One of my grandmothers lived to be 100 years old, and was mentally normal until shortly before she died. I remember very well how she talked about things she did as a child, or in her 30's or in her 50's or in her 80's, all things that happened long ago, as if they really were very fresh memories.

My Grandma was NOT confused about the fact that her childhood was almost a century ago, but she simply did not seem to think it had taken all that long to live 100 years. I was blessed to learn at a fairly young age that life goes by pretty quickly. In a very real sense, Jesus is coming soon for us all. Almost everyone reading this now will die in less than another 90 years. To me that is pretty soon, and I think we all should live like we will meet Jesus surprisingly soon.

I am Catholic.

Peace be with you.

That answer would be a big fat NO.... In the very early days before 100AD they expected him any day. Many christians were so convinced he was coming "the next day" they lived day to day, almost without cloths and food.

I know about 10 years ago there were people trying to get it in the Guiness Book of Reoords for the most wrong predictions in history. Back then there were the usual suspects saying it was a plot against jesus to say that.... go figure.

Each generation has grown up hearing the end is near from their elders. It may come in my lifetime, but definitely in yours. So they grow up and get old and say the same thing to their young.

Nu-uh, each generation that passes have their own interpretations of the bible. Some of them would probably believe Jesus would return in their lifetime.

Bit it has yet to happen, so....

Yes.

Post 70 A.D. there were a few.

Then someone realized you can make $$$ out of it and it's been non-stop since.

Nope. They wouldn't be CHRISTian then, would they?

Still waiting.... and waiting... and waiting...