We meet thousands of people as we go through life. Most of them will become little more than passing acquaintances. If we’re lucky, some will become close friends. But if we’re VERY lucky, we meet someone who really, truly makes our lives better.
Bev Geier is that kind of person.
For more than 55 years, Bev Geier worked as a fitness instructor for the Webster Parks and Recreation Department. During her long career, Bev touched the lives of thousands of young people and adults, motivating and inspiring them through her many fitness classes to become their better selves through regular exercise.
A few weeks ago, Bev retired as the department’s longest-tenured fitness instructor.
Bev worked for the Rec Center for so long that she kind of grew up with the organization. She remembers when, back in 1962, Charles Sexton came to Webster as the town’s first Recreation Director. Shortly thereafter, there was an article in the Webster Herald seeking people interested in teaching Swedish Gymnastics. Bev signed up, took the training sessions, and her career with the Webster Recreation Department officially began.
In the years since, Bev traveled with the Rec Center as it moved from Dewitt Rd. School to Ridgecrest School, to its current location on Chiyoda Drive. As the facilities expanded, so did Bev’s classes, growing from programs for girls to adding mothers and daughters, women’s classes, to special formats for “seasoned citizens,” and many more.
And she enjoyed every minute of it.
“For the past many years,” she said, “I have had the true pleasure of spending time with an amazing number of astounding people who shared (or łearned to share) the view that as we age it is beneficial and essential to keep moving if you want to be able to keep moving.”
“It’s been a great run and has afforded me the opportunity to meet and interact with so many nice people.”
Praise for Bev as an instructor — and as an individual — has come from every corner of the Rec Center following her retirement.
Fitness Coordinator Jay Verna wrote,
Beverly’s contributions went beyond physical exercise ,as she understood from the outset the importance of connecting with people and how important social and emotional interaction is to our overall health and wellness. We are forever grateful for Bev’s dedicated service to our community and for her many years of inspiring people through exercise, healthy living, and being a great mentor, friend, and compassionate listener.
Dylan Herold, who worked alongside Bev as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, told me
I can’t say enough great things about Bev. She was a wonderful mentor to me… I owe a lot of my success to her. She was always the best to me she would give me good advice. Whenever I had a problem I was stumped on she always had a solution. … I have a certification as a senior fitness specialist and I didn’t learn even half as much from that as I did from Bev herself.
She was a wonderful person not only as an instructor but her heart was a heart of gold … and I will forever be grateful to her for all she’s done for me.
Many of her former students had even higher praise.
Deb Wishard remembered how welcoming Bev was the few times she had to bring her grandson to class.
One time we went to walk, and she grabbed his hand and made him walk with us. I was so thrilled.
Carol Schaefer said,
We really miss Bev. We miss her life stories and her gentle way.
Deb Wishard, a fitness instructor herself, said,
I always tell people, find somebody you want to be like when you get older and someone you don’t want to be like. Bev was one of the people that you wanted to be like.
Judy Sinaguglia said she really didn’t start exercising regularly until after the pandemic, when she finally decided to “get out and do something.” She started with Bev’s class.
I was so grateful. She not only was kind about beginners like me that had no idea what the heck this is all about, but it really helped me as a person, developing all my muscles. … Now I’m very healthy, I come out four days a week. She really started me off. She was older than I was. I thought, she’s been doing this for 50 some years, I can do it, too. It definitely motivated me. She was an inspiration to everybody.
Jean Callahan agreed.
She was an inspiration because she just kept going. Because she felt so strongly about helping people … she just kept going and going.
Well, the time has finally come for Bev to stop “going.” But she leaves behind a legacy of friendship, kindness, and fitness that will be long remembered at the Webster Recreation Center.
In recognition of Bev Geier’s 55+ years of service to the Webster community, the Webster Town Board will honor her with a proclamation at the Board Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 6. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Van Ingen Court Building, 1000 Ridge Rd.
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(posted 1/29/2025)
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