Raymond D. “Ray” Geist, 88, died Dec. 15, 2021, due to respiratory complications of rheumatoid arthritis. He lived in St. Anthony Park for many years.
Ray was born July 4, 1933, in Cincinnati, Ohio; one brother, Gene, survives. He married Audrey Gay Miller June 14, 1958; she survives.
Their 63-year marriage was blessed with four children, Joel (Rhonda) Geist, Julie (Mark) Drew, Elizabeth (Richard) Wehrs, and Timothy (Katie) Geist; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A lifelong learner, Ray entered Concordia Preparatory School in Bronxville, N.Y., subsequently earning bachelor of arts and master of divinity degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. He went on to earn two master of arts degrees and his doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Minnesota. In later years he enjoyed graduate level courses at Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary in St. Paul.
Ray was ordained as pastor in the Lutheran Church in 1958, serving congregations in River Falls, Wis.; West Lafayette, Ind.; and, for many years, Peace Lutheran in Lauderdale.
Retiring in July, 1995, Ray continued to enjoy life’s blessings: his dear wife, their expanding family and their many interests, including cooking, reading, birding, Scrabble, hiking/backpacking, writing and sporting a stylish bowtie. Ray was a kind, compassionate and caring man who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Memorials preferred to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (ELCA), Roseville. A service will be held in the future.
My sympathy to Gay and family. I just saw this today (May 2, 2022). As a student at Luther Seminary, I was assigned to Peace Lutheran in Lauderdale, and it was a blessing for me. Ray was one of the finest men and pastors I ever met or knew. Ray’s demeanor/temperament was one I’ve hardly come across in other pastors and he was the right kind of teacher/pastor for me – I can’t imagine a better guide. Ray & Gay welcomed me warmly. I haven’t seen him in possibly close to 40 years, but have never forgotten him, and never will.