JOSEPH WALTER GEISEL Age 87, resident of Riverside, CA for 43 years, passed away in his sleep on 10/09/2010. Joseph was born 05/27/1923 in Riverside, CA. He was employed by Sunkist Growers-Ontario for 5 years as a Systems Analyst and retired as a Professor at Chaffey College after 15 years of service. Joseph served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years earning the rank of Major. He graduated from Riverside Grant Elementary, Central Jr. High, Poly High and received his BS degree in Business Management at the Univ. of California-Berkeley. Joseph is survived by his wife, Beverly Christine Geisel; daughter, Karen Christine Schmitt (Robert); son, Craig Randall Geisel; 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Visitation 10/17/2010, from 5-8pm at Acheson & Graham Mortuary. Graveside Service 10/18/2010, 10:30am at Riverside National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to American Heart Association. Arrangements under the direction of Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary (951) 688-1221 To offer further condolences please visit www.achesonandgraham.com

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Published by The Press-Enterprise on Oct. 14, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Geisel

28 Entries

Philippe Vanderdonckt

December 30, 2010

Dear Joe, I never met you in real only by email but I'm sure you where a special person to your family. You where always ready to help if possible in my search on the Thieme crew of the 719th Sq. I will always remember you as a kind and friendly man and will be forever thankful for what you did for freedom here in Europe. Goodbye Joe.

Craig Geisel

November 10, 2010

Dear Dad, You were the best Pop a guy could ever have. You and Mom made it to all of my baseball games while I was growing up. I loved your sense of humor. I'm sorry for putting you and Mom through so many sleepless nights related to my poor behavior. I'm so glad you were finally able to see your son sober and able to take care of himself. Most of all, I'll remember how wonderful you were to my Mother. Your loving son, Craig.

October 22, 2010

Dear Joe, You have left a beautiful legacy by the name of Karen Geisel Schmitt. Seeing and hearing all the cute stories of her upbringing it is very apparent the Sun and the moon rose and sat on YOU. May you rest in peace and know that you are loved and missed very much by your family and friends. Sincerely, Karen's Loving Friend Barbara.

October 20, 2010

Dear Chris, May God Bless you, Karen and the rest of your family. So glad Craig could be of comfort and service to you at your time of need.
God Bless,
Reena.

Trisha (Geisel) Brown

October 18, 2010

Just had a fun memory of Uncle Joe.
My Grandpa John (Joe's older brother)always said that HE was the best card player- although Uncle Joe always swore he was a much better card player then my Grandpa..but my Grandpa always told me to NEVER beleive a word Joe said..ha! (funny because that is what Uncle Joe said about my grandpa!)

Abby and Uncle Joe this summer. She was very "smitten" with Uncle Joe.

Trisha (Geisel) Brown

October 18, 2010

Oh Chris, I hope you know how much I truly loved Uncle Joe. He was my favorite. I will miss him so much. I will miss seeing his name pop up on my emails and quickly opening them to see what in the world Uncle Joe sent me...he was so much fun! I am so grateful that both my kids had the chance to meet him. I am truly so happy that I got to hug him this summer. I will miss his stories about Grandpa John. Abby has a framed picture of him and her in her bedroom. I am so sad that I am not there today to be with you. Please know that I wish I could of been and that I am sending so much love your way.
Love you Aunt Chris! Trisha

Deborah Hamlin-Karalun

October 18, 2010

I can't seem to find the right words to express how I feel. To put it simply... I will miss you Uncle Joe. Love you always. Your great niece,

Nancy Kreft

October 15, 2010

Dear Chris & Family,

Please accept our sincerest sympathy. May the memories you carry with you bring you comfort. Whenever I called for tennis arrangements for Chris, Joe would have the sweeetest response. I know you will miss him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Nancy & Gary Kreft

cameron harjung

October 14, 2010

I knew Joe Geisel early on in my high school years with Karen. I remember him as loving father and a great husband. He had a great sense of humor and often used it. I have fond memories of him. I know he will be remembered with respect and affection. This world is better because of Joe Geisel.

Jack, Bob, Jan, and Sally Gawley

October 14, 2010

Dear Chris and family, we are sorry for your loss, but also relieved that Joe died peacefully. We're eternally grateful that Joe brought all 10 of Lonesome's crew home after their 50 mission crush.

Mark Carson

October 14, 2010

Joe Geisel was a wonderful person. Joe and Chris were lifetime friends of my mother Barbara Carson. Joe would always download CDs of my Moms favorite music,and help her use her Remote Control at least once a week. and send me the most interesting and very funny Emails ,and I would share them to my friends . Chris and Karen you are in my Heart and my lifetime friends Good-bye Joe and thanks Mark

October 14, 2010

Joe Your friends and comrades in the 449th Bomb Group Association send our sincerest sympathy to your family. We will miss you. Floyd Trogdon, President 449th BGA.

Jack, Bob, Jan, and Sally Gawley

October 14, 2010

Dear Chris and family, we are sorry for your loss, but also relieved that Joe died peacefully. We're eternally grateful that Joe brought all 10 of Lonesome's crew home after their 50 mission crush.

Debbie Campbell

October 13, 2010

Dear Geisel Family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Dad,Grandpa and Best Friend. We hope that with time and in carrying your cherished memories of Joseph in your hearts, he will always be with you, only a whisper away.
With much love and deepest sympathy,
The Campbell Family

Malia kerstetter

October 13, 2010

I will miss you Great Grandpa. I will always remember the time we flew airplanes. Also playing cards.I miss you.

?Malia

Kiani Kerstetter

October 13, 2010

I will miss you Great Grandpa. I will always remember the time we went to the zoo together when I was only 2 years old and I will never forget it. It was my first time on the sky ride and I had a lot of fun. I will miss you!
?Kiani

Stacey Kerstetter

October 13, 2010

Grandpa,
What can I say except that I will miss you greatly. You were an example of how great a Grandpa can be. I have so many wonderful memories of spending time with you and Mom, words can't express how much they mean to me. The summers spent on Mission Bay ( fishing, riding on the boat, playing gin, boogie boarding) and the trips to Idaho are some of my most cherished memories. I thank you for them All!
I Love you and will miss you!
Stacey ( your little shrimp)

October 13, 2010

In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

October 13, 2010

Warm Summer Sun

Warm summer sun,
Shine kindly here,
Warm southern wind,
Blow softly here.
Green sod above,
Lie light, lie light.
Good night, dear heart,
Good night, good night.

By Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
The Poetry Foundation

Karen Schmitt

October 12, 2010

Dad, have you read all the wonderful things your family has said about you? You should be busting your britches with pride =o). You left an impression on everyone you met. By the time you left a room everyone knew Joe. You had a tendency to drive all of us a little crazy, but I think it was all a scheme to make us love you all the more. From the way you said, "KMark" or "WalMark" to the endearing way you walked like a duck, you had us all head over heels for you. You were the best Daddy a gal could have. You took us on fun adventures and always made me feel protected and loved. You were someone who would "go have a word" with the nextdoor neighbor for something sassy I "might have done". You were the best Grampa I've ever seen. All the grankids got special time with Gramma & Grampa - especially camping! What great times they all had. The river rafting with Stacey and the houseboating with Jamie,Hillary & Joe are just the tip of the iceberg of the fun times and great memories you gave to them. Each and everyone of them know how to play gin!! We were all secretly elated with joy when you did manage to win a game. You loved your weekly poker game with your poker buddies. Most of the time you came home with more money in your pockets =o). If you did come home a "loser" you always said you were going to quit. You were so funny and loving. Just being with you was a treat to behold. You loved Robert like he was one of your own kids - thanks for that Dad, because he loved you like you were his Dad. By the way, I want to apologize for backing the car into the trailer when I was backing out of the driveway at age 16. I apologize for all of the "bad" things I ever did. I hope I made you proud Dad. "Vice-a- versa".

Joseph Schmitt

October 12, 2010

Grandpa, its been so hard to express how much I miss you. I had so many great times with you and I regret so badly that I hadnt visited you more. Everytime I came over I left with a smile, and you'd always ask when was the next time I was coming over. I always said I'd come as soon as I could but I dont feel it was enough. You always called me your pal when I was little, I remember when you caught the cat fish in lake powell but you told everyone I was the one who caught it. I remember when you broke your ankle at the Grand Canyon but you still went to the Grand Canyon with me in spite of how much pain you were in. I also remember when you would get on your CB radio in the motorhome and ask ridiculous questions like "what time is it?" I remember sitting in the front seat of the motor home and you honking the horn for no reason and giving me a hard pat on the leg. I remember that you had never wanted to take me fishing but when you did you said you shouldve done it sooner because I was the best fisherman there.

I think the fondest memories I have are the most recent ones. 2 years ago I had no job and still lived with Mom and Dad. You were the one who yelled at me and told me I'd better get my stuff together. As much as I hated to hear it, you were right and its what I needed to hear. When I did get the job, I went to the hospital and told you and you said it was the best news you had heard in a while. When I got my house I remember showing you the tomatoes we were growing and gave you some oranges and pineapple, you left me a message saying how proud and happy you were the things had worked out so well. What made me the most happy was seeing you with Ramona. When we first brought her home you didnt want anyone else to hold her, you said "that is the cutest and sweetest little baby you had ever seen." The last time Me, Melissa and Ramona visited you had the biggest smile on your face. Ramona was kind of cranky but you never stopped smiling and even played whose behind the chair one last time. You told me you were so happy that I had a little family. You told Grandma "who would have thought our little fisherman Joe would have 2 kids?" And you had the biggest smile. I told you I couldnt wait for you to see the house again because I had weeded the entire front yard and finished growing the tomatoes and wanted you to try them. When we left I told Melissa what a great time I had with you and I couldnt wait to come back over. On the day of Ramonas birthday I was stressed out, but when you showed up you made my day. I smiled when I saw you and grandma sharing a beer and watching all of the kids run around. When you left the party you told me I was a great dad who loved his kids. One of my happiest memories came right before you passed. After Rowan was born the first thing I said was that he had the Geisel nose. I called you to tell you the great news. You were tickled to death and said "that poor kid" when I said he looked like you. I told you as soon as you came home we were going to stop by. You told me you wanted to steal Ramona because she was the best baby you had ever seen. When we got off the phone I told Melissa how I couldnt wait until you got home so we could show our family to you. I was so excited for you to meet our son. A few hours before you passed you had called me back and said you were sorry for not making much sense on the phone and that you were happy that I got to experience being a dad. You said it was sure neat that I wanted to spend time talking to you. We didnt get that last time for my son to meet you but I am so glad you stayed long enough to know that he got here ok. When I look at Rowan I smile a little harder because I see a little Geisel in him. Of course I see a lot of Geisel in myself. As much as I hate to say it, Im glad that our last game of gin ended with you beating the tar out of me. I miss you so much Grandpa but I am so happy you were here for so long. Thanks for everything pal!!

Eric Hall

October 12, 2010

Joe was a great guy. I wish I had a chance to get to know him better, but I always enjoyed talking to him. I'm glad for the time we did spend together and I will always think of him when I go fishing. Thanks for everything, Joe.

Robert Schmitt

October 12, 2010

Dad, Thank you for being the best dad in the world. I will miss you forever. As the leader of our family you set the bar pretty high. I will do my best to continue in your footsteps. You were all I could have hoped for in a father in law and were a dad to me for all the years we spent together. You were one of my closest friends. I'll miss you forever.

Karen Schmitt

October 12, 2010

Just wanted to say, "vice-a versa"! I will continue our "saying" with the kids and grandkids. I sure do miss my pal.

Don't worry...be happy!

Jamie Hall

October 11, 2010

I have so many memories of Grampa and even though it can be sad to think of them, it makes me happier to know that we will never forget him. My favorite memories are:

* "Who's behind the chair?"
* Playing gin
* Camping at Mission Bay, Pio Pico, Palm Springs and Idyllwild
* Going fishing
* AM radio
* Duct tape
* Eating McDoubles
* Playing old-school computer games
* Thumb wrestling
* Him screaming when he got in cold water and loud sneezes
* His hearing aids and glasses
* Holding his hand

There are so many more, but those are some good ones. Even though he worried a lot and could be grumpy and pessimistic, I learned that all he really wanted was for his family to be happy. He definitely wasn't very tactful with how he said things, but I do admire him for always being honest. He was the best Gramps anyone could ever ask for and I feel very lucky that Joseph Walter Geisel was in my life.

Thanks for the laughs and love, Grampa. We love and miss you!

Laurel Hamlin

October 11, 2010

Uncle Joe this is the first time you have ever made me cry.Laughter and you went together and I'll never forget the crazy things, like the Datsun door or the charades game. Don't give Grandma too much trouble. Love you and miss you, your neice,Laurel Lee

Karen Schmitt

October 10, 2010

My Dad was our angel. He loved us all so much. He wiil be missed, but will be remembered fondly and with smiles. He was someone who could make you laugh or get you riled up. He always made me laugh and he was just the greatest. He had a wonderful life with my Mom, the love of his life. They still held hands when they went walking. It was the cutest thing you ever saw. He loved his family more than anything and would do anything for them. I want to tell him thanks for all the many wonderful memories and for being such a great Dad and Grampa and GreatGrampa. He was and always will be our hero.

Hillary Schmitt

October 10, 2010

I miss you, Grandpa! I love you very much! I will make you proud.

Thank you for being the best Grandpa ever.

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