Peter Carl Geiger

Peter Carl Geiger born June 2, 1928, passed away March 24, 2022 at home surrounded by his family.  Pete was born in Pontiac Michigan to Bertha VerSluis and Peter Casper Geiger. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Clarice Geiger, children, Neal B. Geiger and Shirley Shackelford; sister Carol Seibel, and grandchildren, Cote Phillip Geiger, Bailey Ellsworth and John Geiger.

 A gifted musician, he attended schools in Pontiac Michigan, graduating in 1946. He studied with the renowned band director Dale C. Harris from the age of 14. He also studied with Larry Teal of the Detroit Symphony and later with Richard Waller of the Cincinnati Symphony. He was a highly accomplished musician, playing clarinet and saxophone. He entered the United States Navy and attended the Navy School of Music in Washington DC and became the youngest member of the United States Navy Band at the Navy Yard in Washington DC in 1947. He played with the Navy Band until his retirement in 1965.

Upon retirement he became the clarinetist and conductor of the New York City Broadway show Man of La Mancha from 1965 to 1968. During this time he also was principal clarinet of the Queens Symphony and a woodwind quintet. In 1967 he conducted the Man of La Mancha for the grand opening of the Ahmandson Theater in Los Angeles and in the blue room of the White House for President Lyndon and Ladybird Johnson as well as the President of Italy.

He also performed in the musical Fiddler on the Roof. After leaving New York City in 1968 Peter studied court reporting and was a freelance court reporter from 1972 to 1996 working in the Detroit Michigan area. During this time he played clarinet in the Pontiac Oakland Symphony where the first chair was named in his honor as well as the West Bloomfield Symphony, Flint Symphony, Franklin Symphony and the Detroit Concert Band. He also had his own woodwind trio and collaborated with Angelina Pashmakova performing solo recitals and small ensembles in the Detroit area.

He and his wife moved to Sun City Texas in 1997 and Peter immediately contacted Southwestern University where he volunteered his services with the school's wind ensemble and several musicals. He also attended the Georgetown San Gabriel UU Fellowship where he regularly performed during services. He was a member of the Sun City Jazz Band and he also played in the Temple College orchestra for several years. He enjoyed playing bridge and was past president of the Sun City Bridge Club and Sun City Stained Glass Club.

A memorial service will be held April 3rd at 3:30pm at the Georgetown San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 1322 E. University Avenue, Georgetown. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the San Gabriel UU Fellowship: https://www.sangabrieluu.org.