Kenny Giegerich's legacy lives on with charity golf tournament

Patty Giegerich and her friends used to go see Kenny Chesney in concert every year. The year after her husband Kenny Giegerich died, Chesney was not making an appearance in Pittsburgh. The group instead decided to pretend they were at the concert by tailgating in someone’s driveway while listening to his music.

“I went home that night, woke up in the middle of the night, sat up in bed and went: Kenny for Kenny,” Patty Giegerich said.

Patty Giegerich then went on to host a party at Mowry Park annually in her late husband’s honor. What just started as a friendly round of golf prior to a get together with Chesney’s music and donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has blossomed into a full fledged golf tournament 15 years later.

Kenny Giegerich was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2001 and was given only three months to live. The short amount of time turned into a seven year battle. He passed in 2008 at age 48.

On Aug. 17, the 15th annual celebration of Kenny Giegerich’s life took place with a tournament at South Park Golf Course and a picnic in Mowry Park. The proceeds from the event will be donated to West Jefferson Hills School District Cafeteria Fund and St. Jude’s Cancer Research Center.

“The reason I started it was because he died so young,” Patty Giegerich said. “I didn’t want anyone to forget him because he was awesome.”

The community of Pleasant Hills ensured Kenny Giegerich’s memory was not forgotten by recognizing Aug. 17 as Ken Giegerich Day.

Ken Giegerich had been a resident of Pleasant Hills since the age of 6.

Whether it was announcing the Thomas Jefferson youth football games, helping out with PHARA baseball or being an usher at St. Thomas A’ Becket Catholic Church, he was an asset to the community.

Throughout his seven year battle, he still put a smile on other people’s faces, never losing his spirit.

“He would put people at ease about him being sick,” Patty Giegerich said, “instead of the other way around.”

Kenny Giegerich’s friends came from far and wide to celebrate his memory. This event is like a reunion for the people who went to high school and college with him, according to Patty Giegerich.

Chuck Vietmeier attended Slippery Rock University with Kenny Giegerich. He came out to the tournament to support the cause.

“He was a really kind hearted person, always in a good mood, always fun to be around,” Vietmeier said. “I never had seen him get angry with anybody.”

This was Vietmeier’s first year attending the annual get together, but he said he will be back.

“It’s good for us to get together and celebrate his life with his family,” Vietmeier said. “Plus the camaraderie, we get to see each other once a year. Some of us haven’t seen each other in 40 years.”

The Giegerich family has always received immense support from the community throughout the years. They even needed a police escort from the church to the cemetery for Kenny Giegerich’s funeral, and the Kenny for Kenny parties would have about 200 people attending them.

Kenny’s brother, Marty Giegerich, and Patty Giegerich are grateful for the endless love they have been given.

“It’s awesome,” said Marty Giegerich. “That’s why I think (Patty) wanted to start it, so you would remember him, and look at 15 or 16 years later it’s stronger than ever. That’s just the kind of guy he was.”

Jerry Crist, who grew up with the Giegerichs, put the plans in place for Saturday’s tournament.

“The planning process is a labor of love,” Crist said.

The tournament this year raised more than $4,500 for the two organizations.

“Everybody has a good time,” Crist said. “The whole purpose of people being there is having a good time and helping some people out. That’s what Kenny was all about.”