Richard J. Geisler

CALAIS - Richard J. "Ric" Geisler, of Martinborough, New Zealand, and formerly of Calais, passed away, surrounded by family, on Nov. 17, 2017.
Born on May 3, 1943, in Royal Oak, Michigan, he grew up in Malta, Ohio, graduated Baldwin Wallace College in 1961, and married his college sweetheart, Patricia Noonan, of Hawthorne, New Jersey, in 1965. Ric and Trish moved in 1973 to Calais, Vermont, where they raised three children, Frank Michaud, Will and Susannah Geisler. Later, four grandchildren added to the joy in his life.
Ric worked as an actuary at National Life Insurance Co. from 1973 to 1991. He was a volunteer fire fighter and certified EMT for the East Montpelier Fire Dept. for many years, serving as assistant chief when he left to move to New Zealand in 1994.
Ric spent the last 24 years of his life with his present wife, Daphne, in Wellington, New Zealand, where he continued his career in actuarial and was elected as the president of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries.
Once retired, he could focus on his woodworking and organic orchard and his days were filled serving with the Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, playing basketball, singing in The Men's Choir and participating in many community activities.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Old West Church, Maple Corner, Vermont, under the direction of the family. There will also be a reception to follow at the Maple Corner Community Center, Maple Corner, Vermont, at 1 p.m.