Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Roger Geeslin

by Global Ministries | published on Jan 9, 2017

Roger H. Geeslin
May 24, 1931 – March 3, 2015

Roger was born May 24, 1931 in Mount Healthy, Ohio to Albert and Marie Geeslin. He graduated from Kenyon College in 1953 with a major in mathematics. He married Lois Fogle in 1954 and completed his Ph.D. in mathematics at Yale University in 1958.

Roger and Lois moved to Japan in 1958 as mission personnel of the United Christian Missionary Society, a predecessor mission body of what today is Global Ministries, to teach Mathematics and serve in a variety of ways at International Christian University near Tokyo.

In 1965, Roger, Lois and their three children moved to Louisville, Kentucky as Roger joined the Math Department at the University of Louisville where he fulfilled his love of teaching as a professor of Mathematics until his retirement in 1994. Roger served as Chair of the department for many of those years and also as Acting Dean of University College and Director of Continuing Education Programs.

Roger and Lois were active members of Friends Meeting of Louisville and Douglass Blvd Christian Church. In the mid-1980’s Roger was asked to join the Quaker UN Committee in New York City and became active in the United Nations Association, serving as President of the Kentucky division or Louisville chapter for a total of 15 years.

Roger Geeslin was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lola Cornish, and grandson Kevin Spears. He is survived by his wife Lois and sister Leah Davies. Roger’s legacy of love and service continues through his wife of 60 years; four children Maurice Geeslin, Beth Marie Spears, Rose Moyo and Linda Allen; nine grand-children Vongai, Jenny, Anna, Kevin, Daniel, David, Jason, Nathan and Rachel; and great-grandchildren Esther, Levi and others on the way.

A memorial service for Roger Geeslin was held on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at Douglass Boulevard Christian Church. Memorial gifts in the form of contributions may be made to WaterStep (waterstep.org), 625 Myrtle Street, Louisville, KY 40208. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Lois Geeslin, 817 Huntington Road, Louisville, KY 40207-3671.