Robert Geiger (1936-2017)

Longtime West Lafayette resident Robert (Bob) Earl Geiger passed away at Westminster Village on April 6th at the age of 81.

Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife of 33 years, Lois Roper Geiger, who lost her battle to cancer in 1997. The two were married on December 26, 1964 in Middletown, Ohio and frequently told of their wintertime honeymoon to a family cabin in Houghton Lake, Michigan. Frozen pipes didn't deter the adventuresome couple from their vacation.

The only child of Earl and Amelia Benson Geiger, Bob was born in Flint, MI on March 21, 1936. A 1955 graduate of Flushing High School, he went on to play football and earn a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and a Master's degree from Ohio University where he met Lois. As a young man, "Coach Bob" taught English and coached at Mansfield (OH) High School, and then coached at Ashland College, Earlham College, University of Buffalo and Purdue University. Until his passing, Bob regularly received letters from the young men who considered him a mentor, father figure and friend.

After retiring from coaching, Bob completed his career as a State Farm Insurance agent with offices prominently located on Happy Hollow Road.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his son Mike (Julie) Geiger of Frisco, TX, his daughter Christine (Jeff) Spence of St. Charles, IL and his six grandchildren: Anna, Michael, Matthew, Kyle, Jake, and Zach. He traveled frequently to visit all his family and never failed to send a card to acknowledge every birthday and each holiday - from St. Patrick's Day through Halloween.

An avid outdoorsman, Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing. He made annual fishing trips to northern Canada with longtime friends. He was also an active supporter of local chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quails Unlimited.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Parkway West. Entombment will be at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. You may sign the guest book, leave memories and photos at

www.soller-baker.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Journal & Courier on Apr. 9, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Geiger

Sponsored by Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. – West Lafayette Chapel.

23 Entries

December 10, 2017

He was a very loving thoughtful person who always made me smile. He will always remain in my thoughts and prayers along with Lois whom I adored.

Robert Fairbanks

April 18, 2017

To Bob Geiger's Family,
I had the privilege of being a classmate of "Bobby," as we called him, or later, "The Other Bob," at Flushing High school, Class of '54. It took a 50th Year Class Reunion to bring such a diverse group together again but we all have been enriched for it. When he was no longer able to drive up he was missed on Sue's front porch on Main Street in the after-glows. I hope he enjoyed my letters at Westminster and am sure he would understand the macabre humor in my complaining about wasting my time by passing on just about the time he should have been receiving my last one. He truly was one great guy.
Sincerely, Bob Fairbanks

Brian Olehy

April 16, 2017

I was honored to know Bob and spend time with him. From going to the National Pheasant Fest, planting bulbs at the Voglund Farm, and the local Pheasants Forever events, Bob was always a gracious man full of life. He was witty and fun-loving to all around him. Pheasants Forever has lost another great champion locally. He will always be remembered and I will see that we honor his memory at this year's banquet!

Brian Olehy - Banquet Coordinator
Sagamore Chapter - Pheasants Forever

Tricia Kolczynski(Roper)

April 14, 2017

Mike and Chris,
Sending my deepest sympathy. We loved Uncle Bob very much. He could always make us smile and laugh. I will always remember the fun times. May the sweet memories of your dad bring you peace. Thoughts and prayers to you and family.
Tricia, CJ and Mia

David Beigh

April 14, 2017

Coach

A note of appreciation for all you did for me and a lot of others. Thanks for your friendship.

Robert L Geiger

April 14, 2017

To The Geiger Family

I have had the pleasure of knowing Bob from when I was in high school in Richmond and he was the coach at Earlham College. He was a coach at Purdue during my student days here at Purdue and eventually my insurance agent for a very long time. At Pheasant's Forever and whenever we met he always referred to me as son and me to him as dad. We share a name that confused a lot of people over the years and we would very often get mail and phone calls for each other.

I am honored to have known Bob and the times I got to share with him. He was a kind generous man that will be missed by a lot of us.

The other Bob Geiger

Don Compton

April 14, 2017

I met Bob in the late 1960s when he was a young footballl coach at Earlham College and I was a young sportswriter at The Palladium Item. The basketball coach was Del Harris. Bob took his Quakers to the Honaker Bowl that year.

As State Farm agents, Bob and I took a 10-day trip through Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. We visited 22 of the top against and managers in the Mid South Region. Jim Hanks set up the trip.

Many trips and many good times with Bob and Lois before her death. He. Ever got over that.

Craig Nagel

April 13, 2017

Adding to Tom Luken's heartfelt tribute:

With memories of winter conditioning drills, your cheerleader routine (with wig and skirt in'full display) during spring practice, game-day "butterflies", man-to-man conversations with Baskin-Robbins in-hand, and most importantly.......keeping friendship intact all these years.........Thank you, Coach Geiger! YOU were the best.

God's continued blessing to you and Mrs. Geiger.....

#12

Jody and Greg Poultney (Taylor)

April 12, 2017

So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He was truly a good man and was always so kind to me and my family. You are all in our prayers as you grieve your loss.

Amy Noble Becker

April 12, 2017

Chris & Mike,

I had the privilege of working with your dad when I was a brand new commercial underwriter at State Farm. Even though underwriters were "officially" trained by underwriters, I learned a great deal from him. I thinking his teaching and coaching carried forward to newbies like me. He was a blessing. I'm thankful to have had him be part of my life and he'll always be remembered as a favorite.

Cheryl Sajet (Geiger)

April 11, 2017

In Loving Memory

Cheryl Sajet (Geiger)

April 11, 2017

Sending my deepest sympathy. Bob was indeed a great human being. I will be forever grateful for the assistance he rendered me.

April 11, 2017

We were saddened to hear of Bob's passing. He was a great friend ( & lunch buddy) for many years were we compared & talked about our children & grandchildren ( of which we were both very proud).I will miss being able to pick up the phone & hear his voice & thoughts. We are in Fla. & won't be able come to visitation. With love & prayers to the whole family, Paul & Linda Ostheimer

Tom Luken

April 10, 2017

Coach was always the teacher for both football and most important life off the field. Always had his players best interest in the forefront. Lots of memories from calling him in the middle of the night when a recruit lost a tooth in a fight to being my chaperone in Chicago for a preseason picture for Playboy. Coach, rest in peace because you will live on in our memories and will be thought of fondly as long as we live.

April 10, 2017

To Bob's family:
My condolences to you all. Our class of 1954 at Flushing High School was blessed with Bob's presence. He was a good friend and study buddy. We'd meet at my house, and when it was time to go home, we'd go out and point his Model A down the hill, give it a push so he could get it started and then take the others home. We lost track of him for a few years, but were elated to eventually find him, and enjoyed his presence at subsequent class reunions. He was so proud of his family, and devoted to the grandchildren!
My best to you all, Helen (Perkins) Noble

john luckhardt

April 10, 2017

Bob Geiger was a very special man. He cared about all of his players and those around him. I owe him a special debt of appreciation for his help in my coaching career. I know he was instrumental in helping scores of us as we grew in his presence. God Bless you Bob.

April 10, 2017

Mike:

So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I apologize as I found out too late to pay proper respects in person. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

John Burris

April 10, 2017

Dear Mike and Chris: I was so sorry to hear about your dad's death. He was a great neighbor to us, and later, a great insurance agent to me! I have very fond memories of him and your mom from our Linda Lane days.

May peace be with you,
--Mary Vavrus

Dale Samuels

April 10, 2017

Mike and Chris, your Dad was a great and loyal friend. Dawn and I send our sympathy to both of you and your families. May God see that he and your Mom are together again. RIP, Bob.

KELLEY

April 10, 2017

MAY THE THOUGHT OF KNOWING THAT FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHARE IN YOUR GRIEF BRING YOUR FAMILY A MEASURE OF COMFORT.PLEASE READ PROV.17:17

Dennis Clark

April 9, 2017

Rest in peace Bob. I'll always remember our friendship in business as well as the great times we hunted together. The pheasants are going to miss you.

Cheri Wood

April 9, 2017

Mike and Chris I am so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. He was a great boss to me for 10 years. He was there for me through my Mother's passing. We are out of the country visiting my daughter now but please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Denny miller

April 9, 2017

Our condolences to the family. Coach Bob was fun, thoughtful and always helped when we were new to the department and community. We appreciated to short time we were allowed to enjoy his company.
Linda & Denny Miller

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