
Richard D. Geib, the 81 year old patriarch of the Geib family, entered into his heavenly reward last week. He'd been a well-cared-for resident of New Dawn Rehabilitation Center since late January, 2008.
While I could go on and on about the teaching he did in the past year by demonstrating grace, humility and even his own self-deprecating sense of humor in the twilight of his life, I'd be remiss not to focus upon his very active 80 years.
I believe that Rich was born to be a funeral director. – Not only were his father and paternal grandfather funeral directors, but his mother, Margaret Gintz, came from a family of funeral directors that operated the Gintz Funeral Home, from the building that is today Miller's Clothing and Shoes.
Growing up in the Geib household, Rich learned quickly the "always ready" lifestyle of a small town funeral director. The telephone could ring at any moment, changing the best laid plans for a special day with the family. Despite obviously disappointed relatives, Rich always expressed genuine gratitude for the opportunity to serve a family in their time of need.
He was a member of the Greatest Generation, a label coined by broadcaster Tom Brokaw to recognize the contributions to humanity made by Rich and his colleagues in uniform in winning World War II. His lesson; serve at your own peril, for a cause greater than your own self interest. While only in the military for a brief time, Rich served, and served, and served his whole life through. Whether in personal service to families with special needs, or in civic endeavourers, Rich gave more than he ever expected to gain in return.
Rich also taught us to be willing to take risks. In the late 1960's Rich decided to focus solely upon funeral service, and in the process closed and sold the family's furniture store. A few years later, he closed the Geib Ambulance Service. While both businesses were viable, Rich believed in doing one thing, and doing "it" extraordinarily well.
This focus allowed Rich and his son, Rich II, to extensively remodel and expand the funeral home, earning them recognition for a level of quality that came to be known as the Geib Standard. Over the years, the Geib's took risks in opening one of the first family reception centers in the United States, one of the first crematories in eastern Ohio, and recently, a state-of-the-art, contemporary funeral service center, across from Dover Burial Park.
Rich's reward was to see these innovations adopted throughout funeral service, though never duplicated in the sincere, authentic, nurturing quality of the Geib Standard.
The company that began in 1846, and now passed through five generations of the Geib Family, will continue to be known for quality; remaining focused on serving families in the Tuscarawas Valley in their time of need.
Rich taught us that the calling of a funeral director is really one that requires a team effort – that all of the care and attention a grieving family requires is bigger than just one person. As he is laid to rest Tuesday at noon, his casket will pass through the hands of dozens of his colleagues known collectively as The Geib Family & Staff on his final journey to the cemetery.
We're grateful that Rich inspired us to believe that the nurturing flames of service can always burn brighter to provide warmth in a time of sadness. In lighting the way, he's charged us to carry forward the Geib Standard.
On behalf of my father-in-law, Rich II, my wife, Anne, and our committed colleagues at the Geib Funeral Home, we accept this charge, and pledge to continue to bring honor to his memory.
Go in peace Grandpa Rich – your rest is well deserved.
Brian Hanner is the vice-president and general manager of the Geib Funeral Homes, Crematories and Remembrance Centers in New Philadelphia and Dover. Share comments or feedback with Brian by e-mail at bhanner@geibfuneral.com.