Rev. Geyer

A member of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Roger was born in Jersey City, NJ to Joseph A. and Kathryn G. Geyer. He lived and attended school on Long Island, New York until he was 10 when the family moved back to New Jersey where he was graduated from Middletown Township High School in Leonardo in 1951. It was there at the age of 13 that he spotted a pretty girl, Nancy Stryker, playing her violin in the school orchestra. She invited him to the youth group at the Keansburg Methodist Church which they attended together and were married there on June 6, 1953. Roger did his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University and felt the call to ministry there at the age of 19. While at Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, N.J. they served the Anderson, Changewater and Port Colden Circuit for three years. From there they were appointed to the Barryville and Eldred, New York churches for two years. After ordination their next appointment was at the Rockaway, NJ church where they ministered for 23 years during which time the congregation relocated to its newly constructed church building just a few blocks away. Their last appointment was Bergen Highlands Church in Upper Saddle River, N.J. from which they retired in 1994 after serving there for 12 years. Since then they have lived in their beloved log home at Lake Junaluska United Methodist Assembly. He, for many years, with his wife, coordinated all the exterior Christmas decorating, served on many committees, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was always at hand to volunteer where needed. Both he and Nancy received the coveted Chief Junaluska award in 2000. He was a member of the Waynesville United Methodist Church where he continued in ministry in many ways. He was known for his children's sermons, lectures on angels, his collection of crosses, and for his portrayals of John Wesley, St. Stephen, and the prophets Haggai and Hosea. He is survived by his wife Nancy of 56 years, daughters Kathy and husband Dick Baldwin, Bonnie and husband Tom Florek; grandchildren Amy Redmond, Eric and wife Kerri Redmond, Julie Eynard; great-grandchildren Danny and Layne Darabaris, Jaycee and Eric Redmond, and Michael and Jayson Confer; sister Jean Helm; niece Karen and husband Vic Blanton, their children Kara & Daniel, and nephew Donald Helm. Roger attended First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. He will be cremated and his Memorial Service will be at a later date.