George Andre Kieffer

George Andre Kieffer, a Son, Brother, Uncle, Father and Friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday January 14, 2025 in Utrecht Netherlands at the age of 61.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, George's parents Patricia and George D. Kieffer welcomed him into the world on October 16th, 1963. George was the 2nd of three children and he leaves behind his older sister Dana Marie Atkins and his younger brother Stephen Henri.

In August of 1967 the family took a three week automobile trip to Quebec, Canada and Toronto for the World Expo. On the way back, near Niagara Falls they stopped at an aquarium. It featured a large tank with a woman breathing from a hose and eating a banana underwater. But that isn't what caught George's attention. His eyes widened at the fascinating creatures swimming around her. His curiosity was piqued, a lasting impression made.

At some point George announced, "that's what I'm going to do when I grow up." And that is JUST WHAT HE DID!

George grew up in South Kansas City, and attended Christ the King Catholic Grade School from Kindergarten in 1969 until graduating from 8th grade in 1978. Those years were filled with many activities and sports. From Cub Scouts and Pinewood Derby's to Webelos and Adventure Badges to Boy Scouts and Camping Out.

From Intra-mural Basketball, Cub Scout Baseball, to South Suburban Football and 3 & 2 Baseball with cousin Kenny Bradshaw as his coach.

He was always riding his bike to McGonigle's Market for sunflower seeds, baseball cards packaged with gum, or a soda at the drugstore counter. He would explore the creek that ran at the bottom of the street; start pick-up basketball, kickball, sock ball or football games with the neighborhood boys (and his sister).

His Mom Patricia also introduced him to music. From his debut on the stage of Theatre in the Park singing "If I Could Talk to the Animals" from the movie Doctor Doolittle at age 5; singing a duet at his sister's wedding; playing the piano and drums; to singing Tom Petty and Hair Band Tributes with a band in Curacao, music was an important part of his life.

George attended and graduated from Bishop O'Hara High School in 1982. He played football all 4 years and was on the 1980-81 Football Team that won the Missouri Division 3A State Championship. He was The Original #87.

His Senior year the OHS Actors Factory cast George as Motel (the tailor) in the Musical Fiddler on the Roof, and he was also a member of the Forensic Club.

In his own words: "during high school, my interest in dolphins took a back seat to sports and girls, but I knew I wanted to become a marine biologist and work with these animals. Two extraordinary teachers, Ken Reiger and John Jedlicka prepared me for college. Along with Advanced Biology, they taught me how to do research, to question everything, and to demand proof."

George selected - University of North Carolina Wilmington - for it's highly respected marine biology program. UNCW was perfectly located near the Atlantic Ocean. Room-mates included Nico the Greek and fellow OHS classmate and friend Mike Carvan.

Upon arrival, George only needed two things - a job and a boat. His previous experience working summer nights and school weekends as first a "Ramp Boy" at the Crest Drive-In; learning to be a projectionist at Commonwealth's Valley View and TrailRidge theaters and then Assistant Manager at The RanchMart Theater paved the way for a Managers position with Stuart & Everett Theaters in Wilmington - so he had a job.

He acquired a small skiff with a motor and took a Power Boat Operations course at Cape Fear Technical Institute. So he had a boat! A boat which allowed him to study sea life up close, including the local dolphin population. One particular group of 7 dolphins including a new-born calf and a juvenile, became familiar enough with him that they allowed him to swim as close as 2-3 yards.

George incorporated information gained through this independent study into lectures he gave at the N.C. Marine Resources Center.

At UNCW he continued to study Animal, Cell, and Marine Biology courses; Animal Behavior, Oceanography, Chemistry, Genetics, and Psychology Courses; and to keep it a little bit fun, ... wait for it ... Improvisational Acting!

Returning to KC in July of 1986 for vacation, he found himself at the Dolphin Pool at Worlds of Fun. After a conversation with the trainer Tim Byrd about all things dolphins, he quickly drafted a letter of inquiry to Eldon Bolton, the Director of Training at Marine Animal Productions in Gulfport Mississippi.

George began his official dolphin career as a trainer that September. He was involved in the care, handling and training of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, along with California Sea Lions for the purposes of public entertainment and education. He did not like the word "show".

Other duties included the collection and transport of the animals to major theme parks in the U.S.

Each spring, two trainers were matched with 2-3 dolphins and then sent to their assigned city for the summer season, returning to Gulfport for the "winter".

George traveled with 3 dolphins and 2 sea lions for a contract show at Canada's Wonderland in Ontario for one season; and Six Flags Over Mid America in St Louis, MO for 3 seasons. Other responsibilities included "content presentation". This is where that Improve class came in handy!

George spent a winter season in Gulfport as a Senior Trainer in charge of staff supervision and training as well as animal care. He was very active in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Eldon, now one of George's best friends and mentors, went to work for Julio Galindo to manage the dolphin facility located at Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan, Honduras.

George later joined Eldon on the island in January of 1992.

Together they created the Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences (RIMS) which offered special classroom sessions for visiting college students. George wrote a textbook for that course, which is still being used today in Roatan and Curacao titled "The Bottlenose Dolphin - A Comprehensive Profile".

Known for its pristine scuba diving, Roatan was well known among divers but outside of that drew very few tourists.

So when one John Caprifoli of Olathe KS wandered down there, and then was curious as to who could possibly have a KC Chiefs flag flying on their front porch in such a remote area ...John had to knock at the door to find out. That knock became the start of a 30 year friendship and bond of brotherhood.

As a single man, George thought that beautiful beaches and scuba diving would bring beautiful women as tourists to Roatan. Turned out the only women that could afford this luxury were not young, and not hot. So Dana hatched a plan to get her good friend Alexandra "Sonya" Shifman certified as a diver... invite her on a trip to Roatan ... introduce Sonya to her brother, and see if any sparks would ignite. The click was there immediately. George described her as dazzling and said he was blown away. They were married a year later on October 26, 1996. They shared a love of music, animals, travel, the Chiefs, and life.

They shared these with Sonya's young son Nathan McVay.

At Nathan's own wedding in 2019 George described him as smart, strategic, brave and courageous. George was proud to be Nathan's back up quarterback, and feel like more than just a step-dad in his life.

In October 1998, Hurricane Mitch brought devastation to Honduras and the Bay

Island causing George and Sonya to evaluate their future. They moved back to KC. Started Kieffer Concepts and sold merchandise featuring dolphin photos taken by Sonya at trade shows and on-line.

But George needed his dolphin "fix", so in November 2000 they moved to the Bahamas where he was the Director of Training and Education for The Dolphin Experience/UNESCO.

Meanwhile, a spectacular vision was underway in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. Dutch Schrier had a plan to build a world-class dolphin facility adjacent to the Seaquarium. The ocean front venue would feature interconnected lagoons with fresh seawater flowing through them. The dolphins would be coming from Roatan, and there was only person Julio trusted to care for his dolphins.

A charter flight left Roatan on May 26th 2002 with passengers Annie, Bonnie, Deedee, Theresa, Zoe, and the stud known as Copan.

These 6 bottlenose dolphins were starting an adventure and legacy under the supervision and care of George.

George created a very motivated and hard working staff and very effectively taught them the skills of a dolphin trainer. He set a positive example with his dedication and patience.

He created and developed programs appealing to guests of all ages; developed research courses for students; and educational yet fun activities for kids.

He created print and media content; he created educational displays to showcase the dolphins; and he authored the book "Defining the Dolphin: Mammal Behind the Myth, Spirit Behind the Smile". Revealing how the collective truth about dolphins can be far more interesting than fiction has yet to imagine.

Taken from several of his work evaluations, the same two issues followed George over his tenure of 22 years ...

1) His office is MESSY. Needs to be cleaned / organized!

2) He needs to delegate more.

BUT bottom line: "He is 24/7 available for open water training, any program, any problem situation, any medical treatments for the dolphins, you name it and he will be there, even it means coming in on a day off".

The dolphins were always much more than just a "show" to him. They were smart and clever and so very interesting to study. With George this was never a job. He wanted them to have their best life. He loved these magnificent creatures, and they loved him.

Despite the distance, George remained loyal to his hometown of Kansas City. The family hauled countless checked bags of Gates and Bryant's BBQ sauce to him.

Despite the dark times for both KC teams, George remained a loyal fan. Every Sunday during football season he flew the Chiefs flag and figured out how to watch the game - usually not by legal means. He continued to follow the Royals and he was George Brett's number one fan, hands down. A highlight for him was being able to host the Brett family for a Dolphin Swim and Encounter in Curacao.

To decompress, Sundays found George at At the Movies Theatre watching the latest Star Wars episode; or Jurassic Something; or DC something; or Marvel something; with a coca-cola and bag of fresh popped "mix" (includes caramel corn- best ever).

He also enjoyed creating his own video montages and documentaries - many rabbit holes were traveled.

Monday nights were spent with his trivia team at the Curacao Pub Quiz: #winning_all_the_time.

Friday Nights were typically spent at 27 Bar and Terrace watching & listening to live music bands - sometimes joining in for fun.

Family meant everything to George.

He typically centered vacations around family events in KC, and family vacations typically centered on wherever George was living at the time.

George introduced his brother and sister to the beaches of Wilmington and Gulfport; dolphins up close and personal; Mardi Gras in New Orleans; tropical islands and desert islands; snorkeling and scuba diving.

As young children, visiting their Uncle George was highly anticipated.

Misty, Jarett and Randi of course thought he was awesome - and not just because they got to swim with dolphins and learn to scuba dive, or because he brought her (Randi) a puppy without her father's blessing, - But because they just loved being around him. You could hear them say to each other, "I don't know, ask Uncle George!"

In grade school Jarett had a school assignment to write about a "hero".

He wrote about his, "Uncle George Saving the Girl from the Whale".

George took a genuine interest in whatever the kids were up too, and was very proud of them as young adults and loved to hear all about their accomplishments.

He has been called a Legend, he has been called a Pirate.

But to him, the greatest thing was being called Dad.

His son Simon Mikhail Kieffer was born April 1st, 2005 on the island of Curacao. George said many times that being Simon's father was the most important, most fulfilling job he ever had.

George shared with Simon his love of Space Exploration.

They visited Cape Canaveral in Florida and came back home to do Missions to Mars in spaceships made of cardboard or reenact Saturn V Rocket launches.

They visited meteor sites in New Mexico and Kansas. Aerial Fighter battles were waged with planes taking off from the "it's an Air...craft Car..rier, dad-dy".

Trips to Disney, trips to KC, and of course trips to "work" to hang out with dolphins all day. Love of Music and Movies were shared as well as Simon grew in his own passion to be behind a camera and editing that film footage.

Despite his health struggles near the end, George was determined to see Simon settled in the Netherlands starting his own adventure. EVERYONE supported and helped George mentally and physically reach that goal.

He considered himself very lucky and fortunate to be able to spend his last few months with his son.

So much life lived in 61 short years.

His was a brilliant mind trapped in a failing body.

We all thought we had just a little more time before we would have to say goodby, that was not to be.

George impacted the lives of so many, and so many people impacted his.

We can not begin to mention everyone.

You know who you are, and we know who you are - his family loves and appreciates you.

If you have a story to tell, or a memory, please pass it on and help keep him alive in your heart and ours.

In George's honor, "Do what you believe, and deeply believe in what you do".