In Memory - Richard E. Geertz

Richard Edward Geertz died at his home in Boulder on July 17, 2010. He was 65. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Boulder on Friday, August 27 at 5:30pm. Burial will be at 10:00am Saturday, August 28 at Sacred Heart of Mary cemetery. He is survived by his wife of 36 years Mary Jungerman and two daughters, Lois Kathryn Geertz and Clara Elizabeth Geertz, a brother John Geertz-Larson and two sisters, Wendy Geertz and Kathryn Schopp.

A native of Chicago, Geertz earned the Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Grinnell College, a year of law school at the University of Minnesota, a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Recently retired from nearly 30 years as Tuition Classification Officer in the Registrar’s office at CU/Boulder, Geertz was also well known in the community as a singer and choral conductor, performing in and conducting groups such as the Boulder Bach Festival Chorus, his own Boulder Community Chorus, which he founded and directed in the 1980’s, and many choral groups in the front range area. He prepared the chorus for the Colorado Music Festival’s performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony #3 with Giora Bernstein in the 1980’s and conducted the chorus for the Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts’ performances of Amahl and the Night Visitors. At the time of his death he served as cantor for St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish. Volunteer activities included past service on the board of Campus Ministries at CU/Boulder, income tax preparation for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Eco Cycle, chairing and serving on the CU Disciplinary Committee and officiating for many years as an election judge.

Rick was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hiking, sailing, canoeing, camping and birding. He also played bridge, read voraciously on history, politics and current affairs, watched every movie ever made, and enjoyed travel and time spent with family and friends. The family is stunned by their sudden and incalculable loss but is comforted by overwhelming love and support from family, friends and colleagues.

Contributions may be made in Rick’s name to the Chuck and Jane Byers Fund for Choral Music Education (through the CU Foundation at the College of Music), St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish Food Bank, and the National Park Service (http://www.nps.gov/romo/supportyourpark/index.htm).