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John Geiger Obituary

Geiger, John Henry of Des Plaines, since 1950, passed away on January 10, 2011. He was born on June 19, 1925 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, son of Hugo Geiger and Martha (Thies) Geiger. As a child he lived in Minden, Crespo, Belle Plaine, and Winterset, Iowa as his father directed units in the Civil Conservation Corp during the depression. At age seventeen he enlisted in the Army and served in WWII in the 11th Armored Division, 42nd Tank Battalion, and then the 4th Armored Division, 35th Tank Battalion. His units served in the Battle of the Bulge and the Army of the Occupation. After the war he earned degrees in architecture and engineering from the University of Illinois. Mr. Geiger was a member of the Alpha Rho Chi architectural fraternity. He worked at Lundstrom and Skubic, then ran his own firm, John H. Geiger and Associates. In 1966 he began his 25 year career as an architect and structural engineer with United Airlines. Mr. Geiger joined the American Legion in 1945 while still in service. When he returned, he joined the Hiram J. Slifer Post #135 in Chicago and rose through the ranks, becoming Department Commander of the State of Illinois in 1960 and then National Commander of the American Legion in 1972. Mr. Geiger has served the Legion in many executive and service functions, with a special interest in Boy's State. His parents, Hugo and Martha Geiger, were also active in the Legion, founding posts in Iowa after World War I. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivienne DeBaets Geiger, in 1992. He is survived by his companion, Florence Tanka, and by his six children, Ellen (Michael) Rosborough, Vivienne (Kent) Hildebrand, Lois Bruffey, Laura (Paul) Widhalm, Carl Geiger, and Jack (Carol) Geiger. He leaves ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Family services will be private. There will be a service at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood,Illinois on Monday January 17 at 11:30 a.m. Donations in his name may be made to either the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation or the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Jan. 13, 2011.
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Memories and Condolences
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I would like to express my condolences to the family of John Geiger. John guided me through my advancement to Second District Commander, for which I am grateful. He was also always available to assist my Legion Post, Peoples Gas Post #336. He will be missed. Joe & Marcy LoCascio

January 14, 2011

To all the Geigers
Linden Street is still alive with our happy memories. Fred and I talked of them again this morning. Love to ALL of you! Dawn Suevel

January 14, 2011

We are so sorry to hear about your loss. John was a good neighbor and Steve has a fond memory of him from the American Legion convention in Houston, Texas (around 1970) when Steve played with the American Legion Band. We hope your many memories will give you comfort.

Steve & Jill Smith

January 14, 2011

John Geiger was a wonderful, thoughtful friend. I knew him well because he was a fellow Legionnaire with George W. Boucek, who was an attorney in Berwyn, Illinois. John and George Boucek would see each other at Department of Illinois meetings and conventions, as well as National Legion conventions. Whenever John was in the Berwyn area, he always stopped by to say hello at George Boucek's law office. George Boucek would always bring Donaldson's Chocolates back to the office with him from Legion events in Indianapolis. After George Boucek passed away a few years ago, John continued that tradition, and always brought back Donaldson's Chocolates into the law office. That gesture meant so much, and he never forgot us! And I will never forget him. He will truly be missed! My sincere condolences to his family -- he loved all of you so, and spoke fondly about your annual reunions in various vacation spots. He also was a wonderful companion to Florence. May the Geiger family find comfort in the many memories of this kind man.

Virginia Lusk

January 13, 2011

We graduated from the University of Illinois, Class of 1950. Somehow we both opened our practices in Des Plaines. That must have been in the late 50's or early 60's. I believe you were the American Legion State and then National Commander in the early 1960's. We shared office space during those years at 911 Busse Hwy. We worked together many hours and nights to meet job deadlines. Sorry we couldn't get to-gether one last time while I was up in Des Plaines this past summer. I believe you said Flo was in the hospital about that time. We'll always remember you. We spent many hours together over the drawing boards (before computers!) R.I.P.
Orv Kurtz, AIA

Orville I. Kurtz

January 13, 2011

John will be truly missed. I will never forget working with him on the Terminal One Project. I thought he was the greatest. He really knew his work. Every time I fly out of O'Hare Terminal One, I will think of him. He was always there for me and others. He was truly a great boss and I really enjoyed working for him. My condolences and I wish comfort and love to the Geiger family!

Your Administrative Assistant, Connie Krueger

January 13, 2011

On behalf of the Legionnaires of The Robert E. Coulter,Jr. Post 1941,THE AMERICAN LEGION, Dept. of Illinois, La grange, IL. I offer
sympathy and prayers to the family of Past Commander of ILLinois and National Commander. John Geiger a WW II veteran of the United States
Army.
Sincerely
Jerome S. Matuch
Chaplain/ Service Officer Post 1941
Chaplain 5th District , 1rst Division

Jerome Matuch

January 13, 2011

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