By Staff
Norman Philip Geis II, 77, died on July 14 from complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Norman is survived by his wife 55 years, Diane (Garlock) Geis, their children: Norman and Vicki Geis of Exeter, NH; Leslie (Geis) and Gary de Grandmaison of Auburn, NH; Jeffrey and Blanca Geis of San Pedro, CA. He also had 5 grandchildren: Austin and Katherine of Exeter, NH; Luis, Christopher and Victoria of San Pedro, CA. He is survived by two younger brothers: Peter and Mary Lou Geis of Solon, OH; Royall and Geri Geis of Clifton, VA.
Norman was born in 1932 in Waterbury, CT to Willis and Hope Geis. He graduated from Greenwich (CT) High School in 1950 and then attended Cornell University, enrolling in a 5 year engineering program. While at Cornell, he was a member of the Army ROTC Program and was a brother and chapter president of the SAE Fraternity. After earning a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell, he continued his education with graduate courses at New Mexico State and completed his MBA at Northeastern University in 1972.
Following his graduation from Cornell in 1955, he served two years in the Army at White Sands Missile Range, NM with the Hawk Surface to Air Missile Development Program, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After an honorable discharge from the army in 1957, he joined the Raytheon Corporation, Missile Systems Division, continuing his work at White Sands.
Norman worked for Raytheon on various Air Defense / Guided Munitions Systems Programs, in El Paso TX, Bedford, MA, and Saudi Arabia as a Program Manager. In 1986, he joined the Hughes Aircraft Company in El Segundo, CA from which he retired in 1995 as the Director of Air Defense Systems Center.
After retirement, Norman and Diane moved to Chocowinity, NC. Norman was a member of Mother of Mercy Roman Catholic Church, Washington, NC. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #9364, Washington, NC.
Norman was an accomplished musician, playing the saxophone and clarinet, with a love for classical and jazz music. He was an avid boater and deep sea fisherman having had a custom power boat, the “Mr. G”, built in 1980. Norman and Diane lived on the Mr. G for a year after retirement. In 1999 they took the Mr. G on a cruise from NC up the east coast to Southeast Harbor, ME before returning to Chocowinity.
While living in Carlisle, MA, Norman was a member of the Carlisle Minutemen Militia. He served as Captain of the militia in 1975 during the Bicentennial Celebrations conducted in Concord and Boston, MA.
Norman will be remembered as a man of intellect, honesty, integrity, loyalty and faith. He is regarded by his family as a true renaissance man and will be forever honored by them. The courage and determination that he displayed in dealing with PSP will forever be an inspiration to them.
There will be a Rosary Service, Monday at 7:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends until 8:30 p.m. at Paul Funeral Home in Washington, NC. A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM at Mother of Mercy Church, Washington, NC. A burial ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 24 at 1 p.m. in the Green Cemetery in Carlisle, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Mother of Mercy Roman Catholic Church, Building Fund or St. Vincent DePaul Society, 112 West 9th Street, Washington, NC 27889.
Online Condolences may be offered to the Geis family by visiting www. paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home of Washington is honored to serve the Geis family.
Paid Obituary