Famed Arlington Heights nursery loses one of its patriarchs

Thomas Geimer was only 13 years old when he and his older brother took over the reins of the family nursery in Arlington Heights after their father died.

As the oldest two sons of a family of seven children, the business of growing cut flowers and vegetables - started in 1928 on 30 acres along Dundee Road in Arlington Heights - now became their job.

"There was no one else to take it over," says Mr. Geimer's son, Michael. "They needed to keep the family business going."

Mr. Geimer passed away on Sunday after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. The former Arlington Heights resident was 82.

As a young teenager, Mr. Geimer and his brother took over the business at the outset of World War II. Consequently, they were forced to adapt to the times, growing more carnations and fresh vegetables for local markets and businesses.

During his young adulthood, Mr. Geimer served in the Army before striking out on his own. He worked for two years as a lineman for the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois, which later merged with ComEd.

However, he returned to run the business in 1952, after his older brother sought other opportunities.

Once again, Mr. Geimer needed to adapt the family business to suit the needs of the growing Northwest suburbs and the many homes and subdivisions being built, his son says.

Consequently, beyond the fresh floral offerings, he added more bedding plants. In the 1970s, he added a nursery business, and by 1980, he moved into landscaping services and design.

His own children took over the business in 1995, including his son, and daughters Pam Boyce and Jan Kehe.

Having grown up with the business, like their father before them, they took over the reigns with his same philosophy: to make plants and flowers a part of everyday life by making gardening resources available to everyone.

"My father loved all kinds of plants, and he found it impossible to walk by a dry plant," Michael Geimer added. "Even if he was in his Sunday clothes, he would pick up a hose and start watering. That was in his blood."

In 2002 the third generation of Geimers moved the family business to 14 acres in Long Grove. They recently they announced to longtime customers this is their last season of running their retail gardening center.

Starting this fall, they will concentrate on their landscaping business, which has continued to be successful despite the downturn in the economy.

"It's a part of the business," Michael Geimer says. "You have to change with the times."

Besides his son, Mr. Geimer is survived by his wife, Betty, as well as his daughters Linda Geimer, Pam (Rob) Boyce and Jan (Jeff) Kehe; and seven grandchildren.

Visitation takes place from 3-8 p.m. Thursday at Kolssak Funeral Home, 189 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling, before a 10 a.m. funeral Mass on Friday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10 N. Buffalo Grove Road in Buffalo Grove.