OBITUARY | 2010-08-24

  • August 24, 2010
  • 251
                        
Russell E. Geisinger, 84, retired president of Greer Steel and civic leader, died peacefully August 19, 2010. Born July 28, 1926, in Dover, Russell was a son of the late Nelson O. and Helen A. Geisinger. Following graduation from Ashland High School in 1944, he earned a B.A. in business administration from Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea. He went on to attend Notre Dame University’s V-12 program as a member of the U.S. Navy, receiving his commission in 1948. A lifelong learner, he was one of just 160 business executives to participate in the 54th Advance Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1968. Russell began his professional career with the F.E. Myers & Bro. Co. in the late 1940s as a cost accountant, and by 1961 was elected a director of the company, serving as secretary-treasurer. In 1969, he was elected vice president of the company and held that position in charge of finance and administration until joining Greer Steel Company in 1973 as assistant to the president. In 1975, he was named president, and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1988. In addition to his service as company president, he remained on the company’s board of directors, also serving of the boards of Custom Hoists of Hayesville, the Reeves Banking & Trust company, and its successor, Huntington National Bank. Active in the community, Russell was a trustee of the Tuscarawas County University Branch District, which operated the Kent State University Tuscarawas Campus from 1986-99. He was also a member and past chairman of the board of directors for the Union Hospital Association and the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce. In his retirement, he enjoyed playing bridge every Monday and golfing at Union Country Club. While residing in Ashland, Russell served on the board of directors for the F.E. Myers & Bro. Co., the Southwest Manufacturing Company of Aurora, Mo., and the First National Bank of Ashland, as a trustee for the Samaritan Hospital, Ashland, was past president and former trustee of the Ashland YMCA, and was a member of First Christian Church, Ashland. In addition to his many business and civic accomplishments, he’ll be remembered as a loving and devoted husband to his wife. Surviving are his wife, Harriette Geisinger; sister, Grace (Carl) Urban; son, Stephen (Judith); a grandson, David; a great-grandson, Asher Jayden “A.J.” Geisinger; brother-in-law, Herbert Russell of St. James City, Fla.; and sister-in-law, Catherine Geisinger of North Olmsted. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert N. Geisinger. Services were held August 23, at Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory, New Philadelphia. Burial was in Evergreen Burial Park. To share memories and condolences with the family, visit http://www.geibcares.com. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.


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