EVANSTON — Constance Jane Geiger was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Richard and Geraldine (Kadavy) Geiger in 1953.
She died at home on her ranch in Wyoming on May 5, from pancreatic cancer. She lost her father when she was a child. Watching a widow with two children deal with the realities of life instilled in her the importance of an education. She obtained a bachelor of science from the University of North Carolina, a master degree at Ohio State and a Ph.D. from Utah State University in Nutrition and Food Science.
Constance served as Chairperson of the Division of Foods and Nutrition at the University of Utah from 1986 until 1993. She remained on the faculty at the University as an adjunct associate professor, and she also developed and managed her own consulting company, Geiger and Associates. She became known both nationally and internationally for her expertise in food labeling, health communications and government affairs consulting. Constance won numerous awards during her distinguished career including the prestigious Mary P. Huddleson Award for consumer research on food labeling.
She leaves behind Dan L. Chichester, M.D., her husband of 36 years. She is survived by her sister, Janet Abrams (Kevin) in Ohio; niece, Chelsey Ulry (Dylan); as well as five very special cousins, two aunts and one uncle.
Constance was a remarkable woman who was as comfortable wearing a formal evening gown in Monaco as she was backpacking in the mountains. She dined in some of the finest restaurants in the world, but she was equally happy cooking over a campfire.
She requested there be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the University of Utah College of Health, and designate it be in honor of Constance. There is a scholarship fund in her name for students in the field of nutrition. Contributions can be mailed to Courtney Garay, College of Health, 383 Colorow, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.
Online condolences may be given at crandallfhevanston.com.
