Glee

Warren Geissinger brought Joy to the World.

Story by Paul Fowler ’64

Photography Courtesy of the Geissinger Family, Matt Hobbs ’64, and Paul Fowler ’64

Mr. Geissinger, Warren, Goose, however you knew him, brought his light-up-the-world smile to school every day, and he brought music into our lives that lit up our worlds.

Warren Geissinger H ’64, P ’72, ’74, ’76 died on November 21 at the Havenwood retirement community in Concord, New Hampshire, with his wife Barbara H ’64 by his side. He was ninety-eight years old. A legendary music teacher and skilled organist, Goose taught at Pomfret for nineteen years, from 1956 to 1975. When the news of his passing reached me, it unleashed a flood of fond memories.

Warren Geissinger (fourth from the right) alongside other former faculty during a luncheon at Pomfret in October 2014.

In 1964, 80 of the 200 students who attended Pomfret were involved in one or more musical activities. These were elective activities, run by one man. But his impact went way beyond music, as many of my classmates — who had little if any involvement with music — remember specific, memorable, life-changing experiences with Mr. Geissinger. He was my adviser and I would not have graduated from Pomfret without his help.

Of all his magic music programs, Glee Club may have been the most popular. Beyond the joy of singing under Warren’s direction, there was another benefit in an all-boys school: ‘join Glee Club, meet girls.’ The Glee Club held concerts with Oxford, Bancroft, Wheeler, Miss Porter’s, and other all-girls schools in the area, which were followed by dances. In the spring, these concerts were rehearsals for the Spring Choral Festival, which involved a number of school choruses performing together, with orchestra, at the Bushnell in Hartford. It ended the Glee Club season on a high note.

Beyond Glee Club, Mr. Geissinger left no musical interest unattended. A growing number of us participated in octets, which Mr. Geissinger accommodated by expanding beyond the original Octet — the Griffinpoofs — to the Rejects, and even to the Deject (yes, that was me). Mr. Geissinger also instructed and coached those who played instruments, or who were developing solo singing careers.

Winter musicals were always a high point of the season, bringing the latest from Broadway to Pomfret with Guys and Dolls, Damn Yankees, and Once Upon a Mattress. In collaboration with Peter “Cap” Marble, the leader of the Dramatic Society, these shows featured several memorable performances by Owen Williams ’63 as the lead. The somewhat slapstick, all-male chorus line always produced a lot of laughs.

Second, third, fourth, and sixth from left: Rufus Phillips, ’64, Warren Geissinger H ’64, Alice Dunbar (art teacher), Matt Hobbs ’64. Third from right: Barbara Geissinger H ’64

Memorable to many was Mr. Geissinger’s talent in making the chapel’s great organ come alive. Thanks in part to his theological and church experience, the choir attracted a large number of members, and provided a solid foundation for the enthusiastic singing of hymns. For many of us, his playing of the organ before and after chapel was a time for reflection that brought with it an overwhelming sense of peace.

In the summer of 1963, Mr. Geissinger and his wife, Barbara, led the Pomfret International Affairs Seminar to Africa. Two of our classmates, Matt Hobbs ’64 and Rufus Phillips ’64, went on the trip, along with Art Teacher Alice Dunbar, and eight other students from schools across the country. The purpose of the trip was interracial understanding. Through the Africa program’s outreach back in the United States, John Irick ’65 was invited to attend Pomfret as our first African American student. It was a seminal moment in the history of Pomfret School and its journey toward diversity.

During Reunion in the spring of 2014, Warren Geissinger was recognized with three honors. He was awarded Pomfret’s William Beach Olmsted Award for “distinguished, sustained, and dedicated service to Pomfret School.” It is the highest honor the School can bestow upon a member of the community. He and Barbara were named honorary members of the Class of 1964. And a plaque inscribed “role models for life and inspired leaders” sits at the base of a maple tree planted on the circle, dedicated to Warren and Barbara from the students of the International Affairs Seminar.

Around Mr. Geissinger's ninety-eighth birthday in June, I traded letters and emails with him. He explained he had moved to an assisted living facility in New Hampshire. In typical Goose style, he made it sound like he had been upgraded to the Presidential Suite on the Concierge Level at the World's Fanciest Hotel. I hope he got first class service. He deserved it.

While Mr. Geissinger, Warren, Goose will be sorely missed, our many memories and his light-up-the-world smile will be fondly remembered for bringing Joy to Our World.

Obituary 1922-2020

Warren S. Geissinger died on November 21 at the Havenwood retirement community in Concord, NH, in the arms of his wife Barbara. He was ninety-eight years old.

Warren’s life was defined by music. He was the third son of Annie Stichter Geissinger and Monroe Geissinger, a railroad switch operator in Macungie, PA. As a child he attended two services every Sunday, Lutheran and Mennonite, singing in the choirs and, later, accompanying on piano and organ. He studied music at West Chester State College, where he met his future wife, Barbara. In 1943, he enlisted in the US Army Air Force, serving as a Bombardier, 1st Lieutenant, in southern Italy. When he wasn’t on a flying mission, he led an on-base barbershop quartet, played the pump organ for services, and visited the local cathedral in Cerignola to practice the pipe organ.

He loved Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. And Stravinsky and Poulenc. And Porter, and Loesser, and Bernstein. And the Widor Toccata. From the organ bench, piano bench, conductor’s podium, theater pit, or front of the classroom, he radiated the joy he felt in sharing the beauty and power of music, energizing the room with his enthusiasm, empathy, and humor. His standards were high, and he elevated students and amateurs alike with his depth of understanding and generosity. And he had a laugh that could fill a room.

Thanks to the GI Bill, Warren earned a Masters in Music Education from Temple University, and a Masters in Sacred Music from Union Theological Seminary. He taught for many years at St. Mary’s-in-the-Mountains (NH), Pomfret School (CT), and Middlesex School (MA), and served as organist/choirmaster at Christ Church, Pomfret, St. Anne’s, Lincoln (MA), and All Saints, Littleton (NH). In 1959 he founded The Concert Choir of Northeastern Connecticut, a community chorus that continues to thrive today. He continued playing organ for church services until he was 97, and was an active congregant of Grace Episcopal Church, Concord.

Warren and Barbara loved to travel, and in 1963 they took a hand-picked group of students from around the country to Africa on an International Affairs Seminar. Two years later they took their three young daughters for a sabbatical year at Kodaikanal School in southern India, teaching music and English, and studying Carnatic drumming and singing. They toured England with many Middlesex School shows, and Europe with the North Country Chorus. Closer to home, they loved hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and many visits from their daughters and friends included sunset drinks and pretzels on Bald Mountain.

In 1992, Warren and Barbara suffered the devastating loss of their eldest daughter, Eve. They turned their heartbreak into action, testifying in the New Hampshire State Legislature to lower the legal limit of blood alcohol levels in drivers, and completing the training for the Support Center for Domestic Violence — a cause championed by Eve — answering the hotline and representing victims in court. They were also longtime volunteers for Meals-on-Wheels, Hospice, The Friendly Kitchen, and the office of Bishop Gene Robinson.

Warren leaves behind many admiring students, colleagues, and friends who stayed in touch with him right up until his death. A few quotes from the many tributes the family has received: “He could make the chapel organ come alive”; “He had that ever-present light-up-the-world smile“; “He inspired me in so many ways, but mostly by just being who he was”; “He was one of the most positive, enthusiastic, creative and decent educators and human beings we have ever known.”

In addition to Barbara, his wife of seventy years, he is survived by his daughters Annie Geissinger and Katie Geissinger and their spouses Amy Joseph and Billy Shebar, his grandson Miles Shebar, and his niece Carol Fredian, nephews Eric and Thomas, and their families.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Eve Geissinger Memorial Scholarship Fund, Smith College School for Social Work, Smith College Gift Accounting, Stoddard Annex, 23 Elm Street, Northampton, MA, 01063, or to the non-profit of your choice, would be appreciated.

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Paul Fowler is a proud member of the Class of 1964. During his long and valued relationship with Pomfret, he has served as a class agent, trustee, and alumni association president. He lives in New Canaan, Connecticut, with his wife, Kitty.