BELMONT – Father Kenneth Geyer, O.S.B., a monk and priest of Belmont Abbey, died Wednesday, February 8.
He was born in Lancaster, NY, on April 1, 1927, the son of the late Joseph A. and Kathryn Nuwer Geyer. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Geyer and Father Raymond Geyer, O.S.B., and his sister, Sister Marie Canice Geyer.
Father Kenneth was professed as a monk on July 11, 1946, and ordained a priest on June 13, 1953. He earned his A.A. degree from Belmont Abbey Junior College, his B.A. from St. Benedict’s College, and his M.A. in Musicology from the Catholic University of America. From 1957 to 1959, he taught at Benedictine High School in Richmond, VA, where he was also Assistant Pastor at St. Benedict’s Church. At Belmont Abbey College, in addition to serving as Chair of the Department of Fine Arts and Music, he served as Chair of the Humanities Division, Prefect of Students, Moderator of the Spire, and was the Chapter Counselor for Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity for seventeen years. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Belmont Abbey College. Father Kenneth served as organist and choir director at Belmont Abbey for fifty years, and held the positions of Cathedral Organist, Novice Master and Prior in the monastery.
Fr. Kenneth taught generations of students the history of music and of art as well as French. He was a frequent recitalist (on piano and organ), and for decades coordinated all fine arts programs on campus, holding the title of Cathedral Organist for over 40 years. In recent years, Father Kenneth focused his time and talents on the library. The abbey’s in-house book collection is the happy product of his guidance and oversight. In the monastic community and beyond, Father Kenneth is appreciated for his original works of art—both his paintings and his music—and his knowledge of current literature.
He is survived by the monks of Belmont Abbey, by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Bernice Geyer, of Lancaster, NY, and by his nieces and
nephews.
His body will be received on Friday evening, February 10, at Vespers at 7:00 p.m. in the Abbey Basilica. Viewing will follow. The Rosary will be on Saturday, February 11, at 9:30 a.m. in the Basilica, with the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the Abbey Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kenneth Geyer Scholarship at Belmont Abbey College. Condolences may be sent online by visiting www.mcleanfuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is in charge of arrangements.
