2017 Kate Geer

KATE GEER

Donor Family

Age 43 ~ Grand Junction, CO

Elementary School Teacher

Honored by Donor Alliance at donoralliance.org

Kate will proudly ride aboard in memory of her husband Derek Geer, and in celebration of the gift of life and organ donation, a cause Derek championed in line with his resolute dedication to doing good. Derek was a natural born protector, and the type of police officer who saved lives and could win over the suspects he arrested. In February of last year, Kate received word that Derek had been injured. Kate knew right away that he wasn’t going to make it upon seeing him in the hospital. He had been shot after trying to apprehend a suspect. Derek was able to be an organ donor, giving his heart, liver, and both kidneys. Even after death, he continued his commitment to helping and protecting others – he saved four lives with his gifts.

Kate’s Story

Kate Geer’s husband, Derek, was a natural born protector. After serving in the Navy, he pursued a career in law enforcement. He was the type of police officer who could win over the suspects he arrested, an officer who literally saved lives, and a man who (despite his commitment to his job and his community) always put his family first.

Derek and Kate were engaged just four months after their initial blind date shortly after college. Their proudest moments were starting and growing their family; their children are now 14 (Ian) and 12 (Macey, who was adopted from China).

It was February of last year when Kate, an elementary school teacher, was at work and received word that Derek had been injured. Upon seeing him at the hospital a short time later, Kate knew right away that he wasn’t going to make it. Derek had been shot in the head while attempting to apprehend a suspect. Kate felt like she was going to faint. Derek was just 40 years old.

Amidst her sorrow in what came next – saying goodbye to her husband, the father of her children, a pillar of strength to his family and the community he served – Kate says she knew one thing for certain. Derek would be an organ donor.

They had discussed registering to be an organ, eye, and tissue donors before. Kate admits that the subject sort of made her uneasy. But Derek was steadfast in his commitment to it, believing it to be another way to help others, which he did at all turns in his life. He even educated Kate on how many lives could be saved by just one donor.

Derek was able to be an organ donor, ultimately giving his heart, liver, and both kidneys. Even after death, he continued his commitment to helping and protecting others – he saved four lives with his gifts.

Kate will proudly ride aboard the 2017 Donate Life Float in memory of Derek and in celebration of the gift of life and organ donation, a cause Derek championed in line with his resolute dedication to doing good.