Richard Anthony "Tony" Giesen

A most memorable professor. I often think back to my days at Ferrum in the early 80's and Tony was one of the best "teachers" I ever had, and not just at Ferrum. There have been a lot of professors but none quite had the gift of teaching like Tony. As a life-long learner, I'm currently in a post-Grad program at the University of Texas in AI and Machine Learning and when Calculus and Statistics comes up, I'm always reminded of those math classes so many years ago which is exactly how I found...

Tony and I had lots of good times. He showed me the finer things in life I went on several trips buying cut glass. My life was enriched by knowing such a special man. You were a great person Tony and will always be remembered

Tony, I miss you more than I can say. We had so many laughs together and lost of Old Oak time. A huge thank you goes out to my soldier son John for telling me about you.

I first met Tony in 1976, when I went to Blacksburg to spend the Summer months with my Uncle Frans and Aunt Hilda. I actually spent more time with Tony than my own family. I loved playing tennis with him, dancing to KC and the Sunshine band, listening to Tony play the piano and sing and the many intellectually stimulating conversations we had while he prepared outstanding meals. Tony possessed an adept knowledge of fine arts and his American Brilliant Cut Glass collection was astonishing. ...

Truly a wonderful, kindhearted man with so many great stories. He will be missed by many and is now at peace.

I was fortunate enough to have known Tony the past 3-4 years. We met through friends (Mike and Glenda Pratt) at SML where Tony lived. They were neighbors. Tony would visit and have dinner or snacks with us on occasion. Saw for myself how intelligent he was, not to mention how much humor and great personality he had. We laughed at many stories he told and he had numerous ones. He once brought over a Banana Cream pie for dessert. Not made by him but delicious. Thankful that I knew Tony. I did...

My memories of "Uncle Tony" are of lots of laughs and interesting stories at family reunions and on cut glass auction trips. The family will miss such a remarkable man.

Tony was a longtime friend and mentor back when I was a student and later on the faculty at Ferrum College. We shared a mutual interest in equine pursuits and he taught me a lot about the finer things in life! We became good friends and he was even the Best Man at our wedding. Although we didn't keep up with each other in later years he will be missed.