In Memory: State Rep. Harry Geisinger, Passionate About Politics and Public Service

The following obituary for State Rep. Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell) was submitted by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory. Geisinger passed away on Friday:

The Honorable Harry Clifford Geisinger, House Representative District 48 (Roswell), passed away on May 1. He was 82. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 31, 1932, he was pre-deceased by his parents: Robert William Geisinger of Troy, Ohio, Verna Cragg Geisinger of Cincinnati, Ohio, and his first child Catherine Monique.

Harry spent most of his formative years raised in Chicago growing up with younger brother, Bill. Geisinger served in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1957 during the Korean conflict with three tours on the U.S.S. Roanoke as Quartermaster.

He chose the Navy after spending so many marvelous hours of sailing on Lake Michigan as a boy and his enjoyment of the open waters and sailing after his honorable discharge never faded.

Geisinger became a “Georgia son” when he and wife Pat eloped to Atlanta in 1959 after meeting at the Delta Zeta house on the University of Cincinnati campus where he earned a BA in Business/Arts. Harry and Pat had four children and lived in the Atlanta area during their entire 55-year marriage. In the early years the family spent most every weekend at soccer fields, playing and coaching games. Like in all things that captured Geisinger’s attention, he wanted Georgia to have the best and be the best. And he gave his time and energy to see that happen. He spearheaded the first college scouting soccer program to promote local high school players for scholarship. In 2006 he was inducted into the Georgia Soccer Hall of Fame.

Public service and politics were Harry’s two greatest passions in life. He embraced and combined them when he successfully ran for the Georgia State House of Representatives - District 72 (Doraville, Chamblee, Dunwoody) in 1968.

Geisinger was one of 24 Republicans serving at the time in the Democratic Deep South. He used to joke that their caucus meetings could be held in one room. He was also elected the House Minority Whip in 1970. He was one of 50 legislators in 1972 nominated by the press and selected by Rutgers University to attend the prestigious Eagleton Institute of Politics. Geisinger resigned his seat in 1974 to run as “the Common Sense Candidate” for governor.

Geisinger had many business interests and private political efforts during his life: advertising consultant, coal broker, radio and pharmacy salesman, and then as a media consultant in a multitude of local and state campaigns over the decades. He loved serving as the Georgia state campaign manager for Phil Crane’s presidential bid in 2004 and working closely on Newt Gingrich’s 2012 presidential bid in Georgia.

In 1980, Geisinger was appointed to the Southeastern Power Administration as Administrator with the Department of Energy under President Ronald Reagan. He held that position until 1988. During his stewardship, the Southeastern Power Administration thrived; Geisinger had the honor to address the U.S. Congress more than once, and was always thrilled to have breakfast at the White House while visiting D.C.

In 2004, when then Governor Sonny Perdue tapped Rep. Tom Campbell for an opening on the Fulton County Superior Court, Geisinger was asked to run for Campbell’s open seat in House District 48 (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Dunwoody). Geisinger has been the District 48 Representative these past 10 years and was serving his sixth term when he passed this week.

Geisinger sponsored many important bills during his two tenures in the House. His focus included horse racing; nature and marshland conservation; funding for trauma centers; correction of the Georgia-Tennessee border and access to the riparian rights of Nickajack Lake, TN; ending the “birthday tax” for vehicle registration; exploration of current and new energy sources; and the Constitutional amendment to allow for the creation of the new municipalities paving the way for Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Johns Creek.

Geisinger was 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner, member of the Roswell Rotary, served on a multitude of boards for many organizations including: Atlanta Boy Scout Council, Georgia State Soccer Association, and American Cancer Society.

Harry enjoyed time with his family and grandchildren, cooking, fishing, discovering new wines, savoring a fine cigar, and a good conversation with friends.

Rep. Geisinger is survived by wife Patricia Virginia Capdau Geisinger and daughter Donna Geisinger of Roswell; son Clay (Alicia) Geisinger of Charlotte, NC, daughter Tricia (Wade) Parker of Gainesville; grandchildren Kathleen Geisinger, Samuel Geisinger, Jacob Parker and Eden Parker, brother William (Barbara) Geisinger of Elk Grove Village, IL; brothers-in-law Donald Capdau and James Phillips of Roswell; niece Laura Lyn (Andrew) Nicoletti and grand-niece Sara Nicoletti of Yorkville, IL, and other cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. and family visitation on Friday, May 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Northside Chapel , 12050 Crabapple Road in Roswell.

Rep. Geisinger’s life was enlivened and sustained by many units of whole blood and platelets. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to your local blood bank.

Photo credit: state of Georgia