Lt. Col. Richard P. Giesler, of San Antonio, passed away on September 4, 2021 at the age of 87. He was born June 30, 1934 in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania to George Giesler and Alice Porter. As a youngster he was active in sports and scouting and achieved Eagle Scout rank.

Dick won an athletic scholarship to the George Washington University, Washington DC, where he lettered in football and baseball. He was also president of Sigma Chi Fraternity, and president of the Interfraternity Council.

He received his BS in Physical Education and a ROTC commission and reported to active duty in July 1957. After completing Air Police School at Lackland AFB, he was assigned to Fuchu air Station, Japan, near metropolitan Tokyo and later to Misawa AFB, in northern Honshu.

Dick met his wife, Juanita, also in the Air Force, in Japan. She finally caught him in France, where they were married at Etain AFB in 1963.

Other assignments included Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; Etain AFB, France; Hq USAFE, Wiesbaden, Germany; Holloman AFB, New Mexico; PhuCat AB, Vietnam; USAF, Washington DC; Clark AFB, Philippines; Saigon Vietnam; Utapao, Thailand; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.

Dick and Juanita retired to Sauk Centre, Minnesota and built a home on property purchased from a military colleague while in Saigon. He was active in scouting, Rotary and the Sinclair Lewis Museum. After a few years, Dick returned to work at Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Next was a DOE project in Hereford, Texas, ereford, TexasHfollowed by his last job at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Long Island, New York.

During retirement years in Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota, they enjoyed country life on 80 acres with grandchildren visiting often.  Dick and Juanita were also active in the Air Force Association, with Dick serving as president of the Richard I. Bong chapter, Duluth, MN. Dick later served as state president of Minnesota AFA. Juanita served as state secretary. His final destination was to the Air Force Village in San Antonio, Texas, where he and Juanita enjoyed camaraderie and numerous activities with fellow retired military residents. Dick also served as president of the Rotary Club of San Antonio West.

Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Juanita Giesler of San Antonio; daughters, Alicia M. Wold (Steve Coleman) of St. Paul, Minnesota and Trisha S. Niefeld (Phil Kelly) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Ananda M. Wold Frey (Andrew), Abigail M. Wold Reinhart (Trever), Samuel R. Niefeld and Jacob P. Niefeld; great-grandchildren, Douglas Reinhart, Theodore Reinhart, Eleanor Reinhart, Lillianna Reinhart and Arthur Reinhart; sister, Patricia "Patty" Klingensmith (Guy) of Conroe, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, George Giesler; mother, Alice Jones and stepfather, Frederick C. Jones.

Private family viewing. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 10, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. at the Blue Skies of Texas West - High Flight Chapel. Interment of ashes at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota has been postponed until spring of 2022.

Memorials may be made in Richard's memory to the Fisher House at Lackland Air Force Base or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com