Gary O. Kaiser

Gary O. Kaiser, born July 28, 1956, in Plymouth, Wisconsin, to Maria E. (Chaplin) and Clyde L. Kaiser, passed away peacefully at home on March 13, 2026, with his beloved wife Sue by his side and rock and roll music playing.

A lifelong resident of Plymouth, Gary met Sue (Griebel) in kindergarten and shared a deep connection that began in the Plymouth Public Schools. They married on August 6, 1976, and proudly called Plymouth their home for their entire lives. After graduating from Plymouth High School in 1974, Gary earned an associate degree in Electronic Technology from DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago in 1976. He worked alongside his brother Paul in the family business, Chaplin Appliances, before establishing his own company, Gary’s Custom Installations, where he specialized in home theater systems throughout Sheboygan County. He also served as a low voltage technician for the Plymouth Joint School District and Local Access Public TV Channel 3 (later 14 and 20), recording school events, sporting activities, concerts, theater productions, City Council meetings, and school board sessions.

Gary’s greatest passion was music. From playing trombone in school bands and pit orchestras to performing lead guitar in garage bands and local bar bands for more than five decades, music defined much of his life. He took pride in writing original songs and cherished the many friendships formed through his bands, especially his final group, Racer, with bandmates Larry Patz and Don Basler. His younger brother Paul was a constant musical companion, and close friends Kurt Zolp and Michael Briggs provided meaningful connection in his later years. Gary was known for mentoring young people in audiovisual work, always encouraging them to take pride in doing their best.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law Hannah S. (Tostman) and Gunther R. Griebel, sister-in-law Rita J. Griebel, brother-in-law Eugene Bowman, and nephew-in-law Mark Heffernan. He is survived by his wife Sue; his son Benjamin R. Kaiser (Jill) and granddaughter Adalind E. Kaiser, who brought him endless joy; his siblings Maryann J. Bowman, MariJane M. Weir (Alan J.), Eileen M. Brooks (Dennis J.), and Paul A. Kaiser (Cheryl L.); and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He treasured monthly lunches with his siblings and the lively Christmas gatherings filled with family.