Matthew Gordon Geiger

Lt. Col. Matthew Gordon Geiger passed away of lung cancer on May 26, 2023, in Olympia, Wash. He was born April 19, 1974, in Dunedin, Florida, to Manuel Gordon Geiger II and Bobbie Thomson Geiger. In 1983, Matt moved to Woodinville, Wash. with his mother and brother, Douglas Geiger. In 1990, Matt moved to Sequim, where he played baseball and was co-captain of the football team. He graduated from Sequim High School in 1992. Matt went on to be the catcher and play third base for Tacoma Community College, while earning his AA degree. After taking a gap year to work, Matt enrolled in Washington State University, where he joined the U.S. Air Force ROTC program. He graduated in 1998 with a BA and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Matt married his high school sweetheart, Amber Lynn Allen, on August 30, 1997, in their hometown of Sequim, Wash. They lived in Pullman, Wash., until 1998 when Matt was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, to attend Pilot Training. Matt earned his wings on March 17, 2000, along with an assignment to fly the C-141 Airlifter at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Wash. (2000-2005). In 2002, he cross-trained to fly the C-17 Globemaster. Matt separated from active duty in 2007 to return to Washington and raise his family. He continued to fly the C-17 for the 97th Squadron as a traditional reservist and then transferred to the 728th Airlift Squadron in 2008 as a full-time reservist. From 2008 to 2019, he served in the capacity of the Assistant Director of Operations and then the Chief of Current Operations. In 2019, Matt’s final assignment was the Chief of Standardization and Evaluations for the 446 Operations Group. During his 24-year military career, Matt participated in several deployments and named operations in service to his country. These included Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Matt had a quick wit, sharp sense of humor, was humble, and happy to help others. He also loved to play practical jokes. Most of all, he prioritized time with his family. He enjoyed hiking and camping in the Olympic mountains and passed this appreciation for the outdoors on to his daughters. He enjoyed fishing, tennis, volleyball, running, motor cross, and really anything competitive. He attended Grace Community Church in Olympia at the time of his passing. He loved Jesus and knew he would be with Him one day. Matt is survived by his wife, Amber Geiger; daughters, Emma and Chloe Geiger; mom and stepdad, Bobbie and Norm Schoss, all of Olympia; and brother, Douglas Geiger of Old Fort, Tenn. He was predeceased by his father, Manuel Gordon Geiger II (1997). Services will be held Saturday, June 24, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Bible Fellowship Church, 2508 State Ave, NE, Olympia WA 98506. Memorial donations may be made to the Mayday Foundation, an organization that assists local families battling cancer. They can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 206-498-7444. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.