""So long, my friend," but not good-bye ... you will stay in our hearts forever.... I heard of Roby several years before I met him. He was known to be a great pipefitter from Elkhart, and I soon found out why after I was privileged to meet him. Not only was he a superb pipefitter, but also a master of piping design. Roby never said much about his work, but let his work speak for itself. We spent countless hours together to determine the best way to track and store previous and ongoing work at Shambaugh and Son. He was invaluable. I miss his sharp wit and attention to detail. After I retired, we kept track of each other, sharing with me his adventures as he and June traveled throughout the United States. What a great friend and coworker?he will be missed by many. "
In loving memory of
Robert H. Geiger
July 31, 1948 - March 31, 2019
Robert H. "Roby" Geiger, 70, passed away at 7:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. He was born on July 31, 1948 in Elkhart, the son of Richard G. and Annagale (Smith) Geiger.
Roby grew up in Elkhart and graduated from Concord High School with the Class of 1966. He married June A. Young on June 22, 1969 in Elkhart. He spent a good portion of his adult lifetime in Elkhart until moving to Nappanee in 1983 and to Columbia City in 1985. Roby was a pipefitter and a member of Steam Fitters/Pipe Fitters Local Union #166, Fort Wayne. For over 25 years he worked for Shambaugh & Sons, as a Senior Piping Designer.
He was one of the youngest Boy Scouts at the time in Indiana to earn the Eagle Scout achievement at the age of 13. Roby served as a volunteer Probation Officer in Elkhart County, working mostly with young boys teaching them many life skills and being a positive role model in their lives. While his son was in middle school and high school Roby coached for Science Olympiad helping them win numerous regional competitions and place at the state level. His memberships include Larwill Wesleyan Church, lifetime member of both the National Rifle Association and A.R.R.L.
Roby was an avid reader. June and Roby enjoyed traveling and visited the entire continental United States along with Alaska. Roby was not able to visit Hawaii and the only reason he didn't get there was the fact that he wasn't fond of flying. He was a Ham Radio Operator and a county hunter. His favorite sports team was the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed bush craft and survival activities, along with being an avid knife collector.
Surviving is his loving wife of 49 years, June A. Geiger; one son J.J. (Kristy) Geiger, Tarzana, CA and 2 granddaughters, Kylie and Kaitlin Letourneau. He is preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, Richard and Donald Geiger.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Lifestory Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 4:00p.m. on Saturday. Pastor Tom Beck of the Larwill Wesleyan Church will be officiating. To send the family a condolence please log onto www.demoneygrimes.com
Tributes
"June and J J BArry Romberg lots of dual radio trips and chasing Barry?s dream of a roadster. Our Prayers are with you all."
"Roby was a friend since 1965 in high school, later in Local 278, then in Local 166 and then with Shambaugh . He was as fine a man as you could meet. He became a mentor later in life and tried to show me how to be a good pipe designer. I will miss him. "
"I only had a handful of opportunities to spend time with Mr. Geiger. However, each and every time he made an effort to ask me how I was doing, what I'd been up to, and if there was anything he could do for me. It seemed to me that he always put the others around him ahead of himself and it's clear the integrity and values he had in life were passed on to his son J.J. He made an impact on everyone he met and he'll be missed dearly."
"I cannot express how sorry I am to hear of this news. Your family has my deepest sympathy. Roby and I worked together for many years. He was both a friend and a mentor - teaching me the in's and out's of proper piping design. His knowledge was vast and he was responsible for much of the development of our computerized drafting standards. His work set our company apart from others and allowed us to be the leaders that we are today. His contribution CANNOT be overstated. Not that he was always smiling when we worked together. He had a short fuse whenever I failed to grasp what he was trying to tell me. Often times, he expressed his frustration and gave me "homework" to confirm his assumptions and viewpoint. He was rarely if ever wrong. It just took me longer to grasp the concept than it did him! In addition to his technical talents, Roby was a friend. He called often and wanted to know what was happening at Shambaugh. He loved his wife and was extremely proud of his son. Even after his retirement, whenever he and I spoke, he never failed to mention what was happening in his son's professional life. He was a proud dad! Roby will be missed by everyone who knew him. Tom Aurich V. P. - Refrigeration Shambaugh & Son, L.P."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God give you peace and strength today and for all the days to come. Pat Mossburg"
"a wonderful man who with his loving wife by his side raised a a fantastic son my thoughts and prayers are with you , sharon (hutton) gibson"
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes, Brett Gerber and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "