Greg Greger - March 1923 - March 5, 2015

I am Greg Greger's son Jan. I am on his computer and wanted to pass on the news of his passing.

 Greg Greger died peacefully in his sleep on March 5. He had just celebrated his 92nd birthday and was still living at home on his own. He had just finished his taxes and was planning his upcoming garden.

George (Greg) Eugene Greger, age 92, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday evening, March 5, 2015. He lived on his own in the B house he'd converted for his family fifty years ago. Greg had just finished his taxes and was planning his garden.

Greg was born on the family farm near Stuart, Nebraska, on February 23, 1923, to Frank and Margaret (Miksch) Greger, the youngest of six children. He and his siblings grew up on the farm homesteaded by his parents. He attended a rural one-room school until eighth grade and then completed high school in town.

At 19 Greg joined the army and in 1944 was sent to Europe with Company K of the 409th Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division. After the war, he graduated from the University of Nebraska, but not before he met Margaret Mary Haun, who was taking journalism classes there. They married in 1947 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Greg and Margaret moved to New York City in 1949 and later to Walsenburg, Colorado, to pursue his photography. In 1950, they moved to Richland where Greg began working as a radiation monitor.  He retired in 1987 as a Senior Systems Analyst after 36 years of Hanford service.

The two of them had seven children and enjoyed 61 years together, until her death in 2009. Greg was a remarkable father, supporting his children toward six BA’s, 5 Masters', and all manner of hobbies, art projects and outdoor activities.

He felt strongly about human rights and during the 1960’s served on Richland’s first Human Rights Commission, working to insure no discrimination toward renters or buyers in the housing market.

Throughout his life, Greg demonstrated interest and skill in photography, bicycles, fishing, hang-gliding, metal sculpture; and he shared a love of kite-making with Margaret. He also taught himself to flint-knap, making beautiful arrow points and teaching others that ancient art. He claimed he was part of the “Wannabe” tribe.

As a member of the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society education group, he helped develop the McNary Environmental Education Center at the McNary Wildlife Refuge, found the Friends of McNary Refuge, and engineered the construction of a tule mat tepee there, a project which involved local eighth graders and the Wanapum tribe.

Greg is survived by his seven children: Debora Greger (William Logan) of Gainesville, FL; Miriam Kuhn (Steve) of Yakima, WA; Joel Greger (Marla Parada) of Crockett, CA; Jan Gregor (Ashleigh) of Astoria, OR; Amelie Greger (Steve); Del Greger (David Edwards) of San Francisco, CA; and Evan Greger (Meredith Zarling) of Basel, Switzerland. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Thomas Kuhn, Avalon Edwards and Brennan Greger.

>Greg was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Margaret Greger, his wife Margaret and by his sisters Mary Krysl, Margaret Kaup, Sophie Harwood and Rose Marr and his brother Frank Greger, Jr.

Einan's at Sunset Funeral Home is taking care of arrangements and has an online memorial where your memories of Greg can be left.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lower Columbia Audubon Society or the Friends of the Mid-Columbia Wildlife Refuges.

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 10th at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland. It will be followed by a Celebration of Life reception. The family welcomes old and new friends alike to join us in celebrating a life well lived. Greg Greger will be remembered for his humor, kindness, compassion and generosity.

 The service and reception with be on Friday, April 10th, at 11:00 a.m. We are doing it at that time so that family from wide and far can attend and so people have time to plan for it. My Dad was very welcoming and the family welcomes one and all that might like to attend.

James C. Keffer - I counted myself extremely lucky to call Greg a friend and will miss him.  He was as gracious and generous a man as I’ve ever met and was always one to help others.  I especially enjoyed my time with Greg at the Knap-ins he hosted at Amon Park in Richland.  He took delight in passing along to young people that art that he enjoyed so much.

Host of the 2014 Tri-Cities Knap-in Greg Greger and Daughter

Hosts and Co-host of the 2013 Tri-Cities Knap-in

(left to right) Frank Omstead, Greg Greger, Marvin Barger

Passing along his love for flintknapping!