Douglas Elwood Geisler

Douglas Elwood Geisler passed away on Saturday, March 14 in St Joseph, surrounded as he had been for his final days, by loving family members.

The family will be remembering Doug privately and a gathering will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions in Doug’s honor may be given to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Alzheimer’s Association, 4081 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.

Doug was born in Coloma and attended Watervliet Schools where he met the sweetheart of his life, Nancy Lee Curtis. He and Nancy were married in 1965 and stayed devoted to one another for 61 years, and had four children together. Doug obtained his Bachelors of Science degree (1965) from Western Michigan University in Clinical Psychology. He worked briefly as a social worker after college for the State of Michigan before earning teaching credentials in the early 1970s. He would go on to teach elementary and primarily middle school science, social studies, and language arts at Bridgman schools for over 25 years. In later years, with friends and family present, he would often encounter former students, and many would share that he (“Mr. Geisler!”) was a favorite teacher or had a positive impact on their growth and development.

Doug and Nancy were able to travel in retirement throughout Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and spent many visits with dear friends to Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas. He loved nature, truly had compassion for animals and living things, enjoyed canoeing and his Detroit Tigers and other Detroit sports teams. Doug also loved music, especially in the early folk and social justice genres.

A loving spouse, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, gardener, he was active in community civics and many social causes. As a Bridgman City Council and Planning Committee member in the late 1970s, he helped seek protections for the unique and sensitive sand dunes ecosystem along the area’s Lake Michigan shoreline. Doug was very generous and global-minded, donating time, funds and attention to many causes at home and abroad, especially those geared towards peace, compassion and the welfare of struggling peoples and the environment.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; children: Jennifer (Daniel) Meyer, Matthew (Tomomi) Geisler, Adam (Anna Coyle) Geisler, and Nathan (Carrie Berger) Geisler; grandchildren: Caleb (Gabrielle) Meyer, Mitchell (Kylie) Meyer, Lucas Meyer, Emma Meyer, Laia Geisler, and Linden Berger-Geisler, great grandchildren: Mattison, Callahan and Lochlen Meyer; and younger brother, Geoffrey (Patricia) Geisler.

Doug is preceded in death by parents, Marion and Elwood; and three siblings: Barbara Geisler, Bonnie Mohler, and Pamela Geisler.

The family wishes to offer our sincerest appreciation to the staff at Caretel Inns in St Joseph, in particular caregiver Tracy, who helped Douglas with deep care and support in his final months.

Arrangements are entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman.

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