Chris Geisler

Chris Daniel “Dan” Geisler passed away on July 15, 2022.  He was born on January 10, 1933, in New York City to Christian and Edna Geisler. He attended public schools in Pelham, New York, then graduated high school from the Stony Brook School.  He attended MIT where he completed his Bachelors, Masters and Sc.D in Electrical Engineering.  While at MIT, he met and married his wife of 61 years, Margaret “Peg” Geisler.

He joined the University of Wisconsin - Madison faculty in 1962 with a joint appointment in the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Laboratory of Neurophysiology. He and his wife moved into faculty housing where they met a special group of life-long friends.  The workings of the inner ear became his passion, with a large part of his career focused on cochlear research.  He taught undergraduate and graduate Engineering classes in addition to being a graduate advisor.  One of his final contributions to his field was the publication of “From Sound to Synapse” (Oxford University Press), a culmination of his research efforts.

Dan was a kind and gentle soul.  He traveled extensively with his wife and enjoyed sharing his favorite places with his family.  Switzerland was a particular favorite. He and his wife for many years shared their home with high school and college international students.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren, and they adored him.  He enjoyed taking walks, bird watching, attending performances at American Players Theater and the Madison Symphony Orchestra.  He also loved desserts-with chocolate cake and Babcock hot-fudge sundaes among his favorites.  He was deeply committed to feeding the world’s hungry and worked with colleagues in the College of Agriculture to create a course on world hunger problems. He served on the national board of Bread for the World.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret P. Geisler, daughter, Marty Geisler (William Sheats), son Michael Geisler (Katherine), grandchildren Justin, Griffin and Jenna Geisler, Mikala and Danielle Sheats, and brother Richard Geisler (Barrie Glenn). He is preceded in death by a son, David Richard Geisler, and his brother, John Geisler.

A service celebrating his life will take place at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022, at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 6205 University Ave, Madison.  A dessert reception will be held immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers donations could be made to the hunger-related charity of one’s choice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road  Madison

(608) 238-3434