Father Raymond Geyer, a monk and priest of Belmont Abbey for more than sixty years, died peacefully on Sunday afternoon, July 26. The son of Joseph A. Geyer and Kathryn Nuwer Geyer, Father Raymond was born on September 24, 1922, in Lancaster, New York. He attended Saint Mary’s Elementary School and High School in Lancaster, then enrolled in Belmont Abbey Junior College, where he earned his A.A. degree in 1942. He subsequently completed his BA degree in Sociology at Saint Benedict’s College, Atchison, KS, and earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Canisius College in 1949. Father Raymond entered the novitiate for Belmont Abbey at Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, PA, and made his first profession of vows on July 2, 1943. He was solemnly professed on July 11, 1946, and ordained a priest at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, Buffalo, NY, on June 4, 1949.
Father Raymond served in all the apostolates of Belmont Abbey. He taught in the Prep School from 1945 to 1947, was organist and choirmaster in the monastery from 1945 to 1949, and served as chaplain of St. Leo’s School in Belmont from 1949 to 1950. He later served as Director of Admission for Belmont Abbey College from 1970 to 1977. In addition, Father Raymond was assigned to Sacred Heart Priory, Savannah, GA, where he taught at Benedictine Military School from 1950 to 1959. He was assigned to St. Benedict’s Priory, Richmond, VA, from 1959 to 1970, and again from 1977 to 1983, where he also taught at Benedictine High School. Father Raymond served as principal at the high school from 1959 to 1962, and as prior of the monastic community there from 1977 to 1983. His final pastoral assignment was as pastor of Saint Michael’s Church, Gastonia, NC, from 1983 to 1989. After his return to Belmont Abbey, Father Raymond remained active in community life, served as Director of Oblates for twenty years, and was in charge of the abbey cemetery.
Father Raymond is survived by his brother, Father Kenneth Geyer, O.S.B., and the monks of Belmont Abbey, by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert Geyer, of Lancaster, New York. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Geyer, and his sister, Sister Marie Canice Geyer.
Father Raymond’s body will be received in the abbey basilica on Tuesday evening, July 28, at 7:00 p.m., with Vespers and the viewing following. On Wednesday, July 29, the Rosary will be prayed in the basilica at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the abbey cemetery.
