Chip Kiger
The son of a government employee, Chip Kiger grew up in suburban northern Virginia. He studied psychology at UNC, then worked two years as a teacher's aide, educating handicapped kids. "I enjoyed working with special-needs children," says Kiger, who moved west in 1972 for a master's program at the UO. He was hired by the Eugene School District as a special-ed kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary in 1977. "I also taught a resource-room program in the afternoon," he says. "In the mid-80s, I moved to full-time in the resource room." Kiger worked at Washington (now demolished) until he retired in 2001. In retirement, he has found time to volunteer for numerous local agencies. "I currently volunteer at LCC adult basic ed, Lane County Kids First and Cascade Hospice," he says. "I got into hospice volunteering in 2002, after four friends died within six months. It's an opportunity to suspend your ego and focus on the needs of others." Volunteers put in up to four hours per week, providing respite for caregivers and companionship for patients. Cascsde Health Solutions will offer a free training program for volunteers on the weekend of October 24-26. Details at cascadehealth.org.
happening people
photograph and story by Paul Neevel
Eugene Weekly / 25 September 2008
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