Martin James Geisler Sr. (1928 - 2017)

Born 22 Apr 1928 in Pittsburgh, PA

Ancestors

Died 7 Feb 2017 at age 88 in Monroeville, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Marty is the son of Matthias Geisler and Thekla Kopczynski, born on the North Side of Pittsburgh^[1].He was one of twelve children born to this couple. He attended St. Mary's German Catholic Grade School, and graduated from Pittsburgh North Catholic High School in 1946.^[2]

After high school, he worked as a truck driver for Geisler Transfer Company and also as a radio repairman. Marty enlisted in the US Army in 1950, serving in the Korean War in the 2nd Army, 196th Regimental Combat Team (“Arctic Warriors”). He was officially part of the ski patrol in Alaska, and he received an honorable discharge as corporal in 1952.

He took advantage of the GI bill to help fund his education, attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering, where he received his Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1956 ^[3]. In his senior year, he was introduced to Jeannie Goempel by his brother Charles, and future wife Helen. Marty was married to Jean in June of 1956, just before he officially received his diploma. He went on to earn his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Pitt, attending classes at night while working during the day. He graduated in 1965.

After his education was complete, he turned his attention to building a house for his growing family. Marty and Jean purchased a piece of land in Murrysville, and Marty worked hard to build their dream house, working at night and on weekends, often with the help of his sons and brother-in-law Harry. They had seven children, and the long ranch had five bedrooms to accomodate them all.

Martin began his engineering career at Duquesne Light Company in Wilkinsburg in 1956. His 30 year career at Westinghouse Research and Devolpment Center (later PowerEx) began as a development engineer in 1957. He holds a number of patents in the field of semiconductor and power device technology, and he was part of the team which developed the first integrated circuit for Westinghouse. Martin received the George Westinghouse Award for Outstanding Engineering Achievement in 1985. He retired from PowerEx in 1987.

He had a love for Ham Radio, and was known by the call sign K3LGX. He passed his love for ham radio to his eldest son, and would talk via ham radio with him, long before the days of live internet communication came into existence.

Marty was well known for making his "New Year's Eve" Chocolate Milkshakes. His recipe has been handed down to his children and grandchildren, who continue to carry out this special tradition.

In 2017, at the age of 88, Marty was the last of the twelve siblings to pass. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery, next to the Veteran's section of the cemetery.

Obituary

Martin J. Geisler, age 88, of Murrysville, PA, passed away on February 7, 2017 in Monroeville, PA. He was born on the German North Side of Pittsburgh on April 22, 1928, he was the 10th of 12 children of the late Mathias Henry Geisler and Thecla Julia Woelk and was the last surviving of his brothers and sisters; Thecla, Francis, Thomas, Mary Ann, Rita, Martha, Teresa, Louis, Charles, Regis, and Patricia. Martin was a graduate of Pittsburgh North Catholic High School in 1946. After high school, he worked as a truck driver for Geisler Transfer Company and as a radio repairman. Martin enlisted in the US Army in 1950, serving in the Korean War in the 2nd Army, 196th Regimental Combat Team (“Arctic Warriors”) in Alaska and received an honorable discharge as corporal in 1952. He received his Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1956. Beloved husband of Regina Ann (Goempel) Geisler for sixty years, they were married on June 9th , 1956. Martin began his engineering career at Duquesne Light Company in Wilkinsburg in 1956. His 30 year career at Westinghouse R and D Center (later PowerEx) began as a development engineer in 1957. Martin received his Masters of Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1965 and he holds a number of patents in the field of semiconductor and power device technology. He was part of the team which developed the first integrated circuit for Westinghouse. Martin received the George Westinghouse Award for Outstanding Engineering Achievement in 1985. Martin was an avid ham radio operator (K3LGX), gardener, woodworker, and home mechanic. He built the family home. He played the piano and was a devout member of Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church for 50 years. Most of all, he was a loving and devoted father and grandfather, blessed with 7 children, 17 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Martin is survived by his wife Regina, and children; Martin J. Jr. (Barbara) of Sinking Spring, PA, Michael S. of Monroeville, PA, Kathleen E. (Robert) Dietzen of Munhall, PA, Diane M. (Pat) Smrekar of Irwin, PA, Ann R. (David) Casuccio of Pittsburgh, PA, Stephen J. (Sarah) of Canby, OR, and Joseph P. of Austin, TX. Martin had a great sense of humor, was the last of the greatest generation of Geislers and will be sadly missed. Visitation 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at the Hart Funeral Home Inc., Murrysville. Additional visitation will be 9-9:45 a.m. on Monday at Mother of Sorrows Church, Murrysville with Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCCP-3W3 : accessed 27 October 2021), Martin J Geisler in household of Matthias H Geisler, Pittsburgh (Districts 251-488), Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 407, sheet 3B, line 85, family 57, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1986; FHL microfilm 2,341,720.
2. ↑ Central Catholic High School Diploma
3. ↑ University of Pittsburgh Diploma
4. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Obituary (Feb. 10, 2017)