Posted on 08/02/2018
Charles Roy Kiger passed in Santa Fe, NM on July 30, 2018 from complications of Multiple Myeloma. He was born in Topeka, KS, the son of Martin and LaNelle Kiger. He was raised in Washington, KS and after high school, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy at age 17. He graduated from the Academy in 1960 and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Supply Corps of the U.S. Navy. He then served 20 years in the Navy on several ships and stations. He made WESTPAC cruises on the U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43) and the U.S.S. Morton (DD-948). Some of his favorite duties were on the U.S.S. Corsair (SS-435) with a cruise into all the Great Lakes to commemorate the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, Polaris Patrol duty on the U.S.S. Sam Houston (SSBN-609), and two tours with the Polaris Material Office (PMOPAC) in Bremerton, WA, outfitting new construction SSBNs and expediting high priority parts when needed. His last Navy duty station was as the Supply Officer of the U.S.S. Frank Cable (AS-40), a new construction submarine tender. After construction and shake down, the ship was home ported in Charleston, SC tending SSNs. In 1968 and 1969, Chuck was stationed at Naval Support Activity, Danang, Republic of Vietnam. There he met and courted a Navy nurse, Filomena Louise Grey. They were married at Naval Air Station Dallas, TX in 1970. They have two children: Stephanie P. Kiger of Santa Fe, NM and Derek M. Kiger of Petaluma, CA; they also raised a nephew, James T. Bear of Sierra Vista, AZ. Chuck earned two Masters' degrees; one from George Washington University and the other from the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. Upon retiring from the Navy in 1980, the family settled in Santa Fe, NM where he worked as a retail stock broker for Merrill Lynch until 1994 when he took early retirement. He had always enjoyed flying and owned several air craft. His last working years were doing instruction and charters mostly from Santa Fe. His last "job" was flying Lear 35s on a Navy contract from Naples, Italy. This duty involved some fleet training and transporting VIPs all over Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. In 2004, he and Louise settled down again in Santa Fe and did a large amount of tourist travel. They visited over 90 countries during their Navy and retired days. He is survived by his wife, Louise, children Stephanie, Derek (Hiromi) and James (Leah), and two grandchildren, St‚fano and Minami. His remains were cremated and will be placed in the Santa Fe National Cemetery. A small portion of his ashes will also be placed in the family burial plot in Washington, KS with his parents and deceased sister, Nancy Jane Falloon. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, Class of 1960, through www.usna.com. Rivera Family Funerals and Cremations 417 East Rodeo Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: (505) 989-7032 riverafamilyfuneralhome.com
The Rivera Family of Santa Fe Funeral Options
417 E. Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-989-7032
Published in Santa Fe New Mexican on Aug. 6, 2018