Hugh L. Geiger
Hugh L. Geiger
Hugh L. Geiger, 80, Columbia City,, died at 1:05 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at his home.
Hugh’s family includes his wife of 61 years, Kay I. Geiger; children: Linda K. (Russel) Lehman, Columbia City, Cynthia Lou (Martin) Rossiter, South Whitley, Michael Hugh (Sharon) Geiger, Columbia City, and Renee Lynn (David) Bauer, Columbia City; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Hugh was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: JD Geiger and Charles R. Geiger; and two infant great-grandchildren.
With a zest for life that was completely contagious, Hugh Geiger brought the world around him to life. He was vibrant and fun-loving with the best sense of humor to boot. Hugh was a devoted family man who was thrilled beyond measure to become a grandfather and a great-grandfather later in life.
A longtime resident of the community he served, he was loved by everyone he met. Although life will never be the same without Hugh here, he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.
The 1930s were very much defined by the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared and things only became more strained when a crippling drought covered our nation’s heartland for nearly two years. It was in 1935 that Adrian M. and Mary R. (Birch) Geiger were delighted to welcome the healthy baby boy they named Hugh L. April 25, 1935, in Noble County.
Born on the family farm, he was the youngest of three boys in his family as he was raised alongside his brothers, JD and Charles.
The Geiger family farmed onions, spearmint and then corn and beans. They also had an orchard on the farm and Hugh and his brothers each had a hose that they used to siphon apple cider right out of the barrels after they got home from school.
In many ways, Hugh was a young boy of his generation. He enjoyed running track and playing basketball and baseball in school. During his freshman year, Hugh and his older brothers were on an independent team that traveled to Colorado to play in the national championship tournament.
As a student, he attended a school that went through the eighth grade, so his freshman year found him at Cromwell High School. Hugh was only one of 11 students and one of his 10 classmates was a young woman named Kay Michael. He must have made quite an impression, since she assumed that he would be the last boy on earth that she would ever agree to go on a date with. Interestingly, they were dating by the end of their senior year.
After graduating from Cromwell High School in 1953, Hugh was off to Ball State University. His time there didn’t last too long, however, since after arriving Monday and attending orientation Tuesday, he was back home to surprise his sweetheart by Wednesday. Kay was shocked when he was standing outside her class at International Business College.
Telling her that he missed her too much to be away, Hugh and Kay’s love continued to deepen. With a desire to establish a life together, the sweethearts were married the following spring, March 11, 1954, at a Lutheran Church in Cromwell.
Shortly thereafter, Hugh’s dream of becoming a police officer was put into motion when Kay dropped him off at Indiana University, Bloomington, to join their police academy. He followed his oldest brother, JD, to become the second police officer in their family.
After graduating from Indiana University, Bloomington, Police Academy, Hugh was assigned to work the Indiana Toll Road. Since he already had a home, they allowed him to stay in Ligonier. After putting in his time at the toll road he asked for a transfer and was given two options to choose from.
Hugh decided on the Whitley County position and soon moved his family to the Columbia City area in September, 1958. Unfortunately, their home was destroyed in a house fire Dec. 21, just a short time after they moved there. At the time, Hugh and Kay had a 3-year-old, Linda, two-year-old twins, Cynthia and Michael, and were expecting their fourth child the following spring, Renee.
A hardworking man, Hugh served in the Army Reserves and spent 22 years with the Indiana State Police from June 1, 1954 until July 12, 1977. Before retiring, he started working in the insulating business, even starting his own company, Columbia City Insulating, in 1968. Later, Hugh’s son, Mike, also worked with him and took over the business about 10 years ago.
Hugh was certainly dedicated to his work, but he also took the time to enjoy life along the way. On Sundays, he took his family up to his parents’ farm where they enjoyed spending time together over a family meal. Hugh also enjoyed traveling and taking his family on vacations. On one occasion he took the family along with two of his kids grandparents on a trip to Florida. It was quite an adventure as the family of eight drove a station wagon all the way down, leaving two of them to lay flat in the back the entire way there and back.
The Geigers also took a memorable trip to Washington, D.C., while taking in historical sites along the way. There was also a family adventure on a paddleboat trip down the Ohio River.
As the kids got older, Hugh and Kay enjoyed going to California, Florida and Las Vegas on gambling trips. Out of everywhere they went, Hawaii was their favorite, as Hugh and Kay visited three times with plans of going again.
Always one to be busy, Hugh, or Hughie as he was known to many, was a man of many interests. He enjoyed going down to the Eagles and playing cards and he was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, American Legion, Fraternal Order of Police, Jaycees and the Elks.
Hugh and Kay also enjoyed going to McDonalds, sometimes twice a day, where they would count the trucks that went by that were marked with a certain company’s name. His favorite meal was prime rib, but he settled for a double cheeseburger and always enjoyed it when the McRib was available.
Hughie enjoyed watching Judge Judy, I.U. Basketball, Boston Red Socks and the nightly news. When the kids were younger, he was famous for telling them to keep quiet because Hee-Haw was about to come on.
A jokester who loved to tease and kid around, Hugh Geiger was a blessing to everyone he met. In fact, it was when he was kidding around with someone that they knew they were deeply loved. Whether his family, his friends or a complete stranger, Hughie was always ready to help, as he was kindhearted and generous beyond measure.
It was easy to see that he adored his wife, and no matter what she wanted, he did his best to make it happen. Deeply loved, Hughie will never be forgotten.
Visitation will be from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Chaplain Forrest Tabor officiating.
Burial will follow at Sparta Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association.
