Russell E. Geisinger

Russell E. Geisinger, retired president of Greer Steel, and civic leader, died peacefully Thursday, August 19, 2010 at the age of 84. Born July 28, 1926 at Dover, he was a son of the late Nelson O. and Helen A. (Sigafoos) Geisinger. Following graduation from Ashland High School in 1944, he earned a B.A. in business administration from Baldwin-Wallace College at Berea. Mr. Geisinger went on to attend Notre Dame University’s V-12 program as a member of the United States Navy, receiving his commission on July 4, 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. Mr. Geisinger began his professional career with the F.E. Myers & Bro. Co. in the late 1940’s 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 the Greer Steel Company in 1973 as assistant to the president. In 1975, he was named president, and would serve 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, Ohio, the Reeves Banking & Trust company and its successor, Huntington National Bank. Active in the community, Mr. Geisinger was a trustee of the Tuscarawas County University Branch District which operated the Kent State University Tuscarawas Campus from 1986 to 1999. 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 at Ashland, Mr. Geisinger served on the board of directors for the F.E. Myers & Bro. Co., the Southwest Manufacturing Company of Aurora, Missouri, the First National Bank of Ashland, served as a trustee for the Samaritan Hospital at Ashland, and was past president and former trustee of the Ashland YMCA, and was a member of the First Christian Church at Ashland. In addition to his many business and civic accomplishments, he’ll be remembered as a loving and devoted husband to his wife, the former Harriette Russell. Survivors also include his sister, Grace and her husband Carl Urban, a son, Stephen and his wife Judith, a grandson, David, and a great-grandson, Asher Jayden “A.J.” Geisinger. A brother-in-law, Herbert Russell of St. James City, Florida, and a sister-in-law, Catherine Geisinger of North Olmsted, O., also survive. In addition to his parents, Mr. Geisinger is preceded in death by his brother Robert N. Geisinger.Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Monday, August 23, 2010 from 10 to 11 a.m. A funeral service celebrating Mr. Geisinger’s life will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Burial in Evergreen Burial Park will immediately follow the service.Friends and family are invited to the Geib Family Center, located adjacent to the funeral home where a light luncheon will be served following the graveside service.Memorial contributions in Mr. Geisinger’s memory may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.