Geoffrey A. PRAEGER

1946 - 2023

Geoffrey A. Praeger was a dear husband, father, stepfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and golfer who is missing from our lives. We are deeply saddened because on January 20, while family was at his side, Geoff transitioned peacefully. He was briefly hospitalized with complications from his two life-threatening conditions: Parkinson's Disease and Myelodysplasia (MDS). While these conditions didn't define him, his courage and positive attitude while living with these illnesses were inspiring. Being an eternal great optimist, Geoff always had a ready smile, a pun, a limerick, riddle or corny joke to share. Family and friends who knew him saw him as wise, creative, witty, kind, gentle, and compassionate.

On February 19, 1946, Geoff was born in New Rochelle to Howard and Mary (Polly) Praeger, joining his sister Pamela. He grew up in Larchmont and Binghamton, New York, and graduated from Northwestern and later from Gonzaga University.

Following graduation from Northwestern, he joined VISTA as a community organizer. It was there he met his first wife, Pamela Tajima. They were married and lived in California for a time when Geoff was the assistant director of a free clinic. In 1971 they moved to the Pacific Northwest and lived in Rathdrum in a home he built. It was at that time his daughter Tara was born. She was a brilliant and beautiful light in his life and sadly passed away at the age of 32.

Geoff's profession and passion were education. He worked in testing, evaluation, and curriculum at both Central Valley School District and the Spokane Public Schools. His meetings and presentations were known for their truth, analysis, humor, and wisdom. Geoff was elected President of the Washington Educational Research Association and instituted "Praeger's Follies" which was a "research-based" limerick contest for convention participants.

Geoff moved to Spokane and following his divorce from Pamela, he later became engaged to Cynthia Lambarth. Their seven-year engagement was marked with a celebration on July 1 (their planned wedding date) of each year. During their 22 years of marriage, Geoff and Cynthia enjoyed many travels around the world. They visited 6 continents together. They also enjoyed canoeing, camping, and trailering around the western United States. Geoff particularly enjoyed Family Camp with the children and grandchildren. Together, Geoff and Cynthia loved being in Tucson for three months out of the year until the pandemic and Geoff's illnesses and health conditions limited travel.

Geoff was a lifetime golfer and humbly did not want to discuss his 5 amazing "holes in one" during his golfing days. Even with his illnesses catching up with him and as conditions made it more difficult, he enjoyed getting out to golf as much as he could. Lately, golfing partners could find him bursting out in a song they were encouraged to join, or playing games along the course. Geoff's many friends and former colleagues will forever be touched by Geoff's generosity of spirit, good heartedness, life-long learning, and quick wit. Some of Geoff's additional interests included gourmet cooking, and participation in a book club for 25 years, where he could claim to have read every book.

Geoff is survived by his wife, Cynthia Lambarth; step-children Callandra Hope Lambarth (Lori Kajkowski) and Colin Lambarth (Laine Leanne Lambarth) and step-grandchildren Lillian Leanne Lambarth and Augustine Ann Lambarth. Auggie and Lilly especially are missing their Papa G and his games, riddles, stories, and jokes. Geoff's furry friend Athena, the rescue dog, misses him as well.

Geoff is also survived by sister Pamela Kahl and husband Dr. Frederick Kahl of Winston-Salem North Carolina; Cousin Sara Heitshu of Tucson Arizona; Nieces Dr. Elisabeth DiPietro (Gregg) of Weston, Massachusetts; Dr. Christina Ross Kahl of Chapel Hill North Carolina; and Catherine Kahl Miliaras (Nicolas, PhD) of Arlington Virginia, along with great-nieces Isabella and Sophia DiPietro and great nephews John and George Miliaras.

Memorial donations may be sent to Fred Hutchison Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N, Mail Stop J5-200, Seattle, WA 98109.

A celebration of Geoff's life will be scheduled for a later date. Please check back at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.