George Kenneth Geiger

George Kenneth Geiger, 87, passed away on November 9, 2021. George was born in The Dalles, Oregon and the youngest son of Alloway and Marie (Nodurft) Geiger, stepson of George “Jack” Swick. His siblings, Dorsey, Ira, Mildred, and Helen, passed away years earlier.

In Bremerton, WA, while serving as an apprentice shipfitter in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, George met his future wife, Carol Welzenbach. They married in 1953. George’s career in shipbuilding saw many roles, from apprentice to company President, and his naval talents took him around the world. In Erie, PA, he established a new shipyard and built the world’s first 1,000-foot bulk iron-ore carrier on the Great Lakes. In Singapore he built another facility dedicated to constructing jack up oil rigs. He spent three years as President of Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, WI before retiring in 1983. George was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.

Throughout his life, and even into retirement, George thrived on a challenge and fought for any cause he felt was worthwhile. Whether it was playing Santa for Myrtle Beach children, refurbishing computers for the less privileged or fighting land developers from taking away the neighborhood view - he was 100% committed.  His home office walls tell the stories in pictures and plaques:  Elk of the Year (multiple years), Citizen of the Year, Horry County Children’s Shelter Appreciation and many others.  He was also known to never turn down a good milkshake!

George leaves behind his partner and wife of 67 years, Carol, two children, Ken and Tracy, as well as two beloved grandchildren, Ruby and Cory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Kenneth Geiger, please visit our floral store.