Richard Douglas Geer

1933 - 2024

Richard "Dick" Douglas Geer entered this world on September 18, 1933, in Gig Harbor Washington. He was the youngest of three siblings, born to Ney and Ethel Geer. The three kids, Robert, Shirley and Dick spent time growing up in Gig Harbor, Washington, Grants Pass, Oregon, and Van Nuys, California. From an early age, Dick was a nature enthusiast, collecting and securing animals, reptiles and insects of all kinds, often to his mom's chagrin.

After graduating from Van Nuys Highschool, Dick began his life-long career in higher education at Los Angeles Valley College and continued his bachelor's degree at UCLA. He finished his PhD in Chemistry at Washington State University. During the summers, Dick had many adventures, hiking the scenic trails of the Northwest and Yellowstone National Park. There is little doubt these years cemented his lifelong love of fishing, rock hounding, geology, photography and bird watching.

Dick took a job as a Chemistry Professor at Montana State University in 1964 and enjoyed teaching students for 32 years. One of the highlights of his career was working at NASA in Houston on water reclamation for the international space station during the summers of 1990 and 1991. However, the most pivotal moment in Dick's life came shortly after meeting Annette Conlin, when they watched a Billy Graham crusade, and he dedicated his life to Jesus. Dick's walk with Jesus enhanced both the depth of his friendships as well as his interest in science.

In 1965, Dick and Annette were married and went on to raise three children: Ken, Lynette, and Julie on a small acreage just outside Bozeman, MT affectionately named "Hobby Horse Hills". Dick spent his free time as a do-it-yourself homesteader and "hobby" rancher, leveraging his ingenuity and willingness to tackle anything from masonry, electrical, plumbing, haying, and general construction. After 36 years of dedicated marriage, Annette passed away from cancer in 2001.

A new chapter in Dick's life began with his marriage to Katharine (Kate) Howald Mohr. His life with Kate was filled with gardening and loving a large extended family that lived close by. During these years Dick extended his hobby of rock hounding into rock polishing and created jewelry that he loved to share. Dick and Kate's devotion to Jesus was consistently seen in their humble quiet support and prayers for missionaries on their church's missions committee.

After 90 years of life on earth, Dick, peacefully met his savior face to face on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Dick is survived by Kate Geer, his wife of 22 years, His children by his first marriage; Ken Geer, his wife Paula, their 3 children and 3 great-grandchildren, Lynette Siebrasse, her husband Paul and their 4 children, and Julie Albertson, her husband Don and their 2 Children. Dick was preceded in death by his first wife Annette Conlin Geer, his parents, Ney N Geer, and Ethel Mae Witcomb Geer, his brother Robert Geer and sister Shirley Geer.

A celebration of life Memorial will be held for Dick on Saturday, April 27th, 2 PM at Redeemer Church 1701 South 19th Ave. Bozeman, MT 59718. A reception will be held immediately following. Instead of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be given to "Missions Committee" at Redeemer Church, or Wycliffe Bible Translators through their online giving page at https://www.wycliffe.org/.