In Memory of Cal Geiger

Who Wove Baskets – and Friendships – at CFS

If you took a basket weaving interest group at Carolina Friends School any time during that last twenty or more years, you knew Cal Geiger. If you were a student in the Upper School in the ‘70s and 80s, you were influenced by Cal Geiger.

Carolina Friends School lost a wise and steadfast friend and leader on the morning of June 1, when Calhoun Geiger died peacefully at his home in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

Born on January 4, 1917 in Jacksonville, Florida, Cal and his wife Virgie found Friends not long after Cal had served five years as a Conscientious Objector during World War II. He dedicated his life to spirit-led service, especially through Quaker organizations, serving as a field representative in the Southeast region of the American Friends Service Committee, and a director of Quaker Lake Camp. Cal became a member of the staff of Carolina Friends School in 1972. Among his many gifts to CFS, he started the Upper School service learning program in 1972. But, Cal didn't limit his teaching to Upper School students.

Cal mightily enjoyed leading weekly basket weaving interest groups in Lower School for many years, until just a year or so ago. Cal also loved to tell stories, including “tall tales,” to the delight of the young students.

After serving on staff at CFS, Cal served on the CFS Board from 1987 through 2005 and was an emeritus member until his passing. Cal and Virgie were cherished members of Durham Friends Meeting, where Cal’s vocal ministry inspired many.

Cal is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Virgie Ileen Geiger, as well as his beloved daughter and son-in-law Ileen and John Moorman and son and daughter-in-law Edward and Cindy Geiger. He also leaves three brothers, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Cal liked to think of his life as a series of “Leadings along the Way,” which is the title of a series of stories from his life that he compiled in 1998, through Durham Friends Meeting.

CFS community members who remember Cal are encouraged to share their memories of Cal. These memories may be read at this web page

Memories of Cal may be added to the forum in these ways.

1. Alumni as well as current and former staff who are registered members of the CFS alumni site may add their memories at this forum dedicated to Cal. 

2. Non-registered alumni and staff are encouraged to register and then add their memories at the forum listed above.

3. If you aren’t eligible to register on the site, please send your thoughts to alumni@cfsnc.org and we will add them to the forum.

A Memorial Meeting for Worship under the care of Durham Friends Meeting will be held at Carolina Friends School, in the CenterBuilding, on Saturday, June 27, at 4:00 p.m.

Memorial gifts in Cal’s memory to Carolina Friends School can be made online here... or by check mailed to CFS, 4809 Friends School Rd., Durham NC 27705.