Geoffrey McArthur Hertel

Geoffrey Hertel

02/26/1945 - 05/14/2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the May 14, 2025, passing of Geoffrey Hertel, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was 80 years old. Born and raised in Michigan, Geoff attended Michigan State University where he acquired both a master's degree in business and the heart of his lifelong partner, Carol. They wed in 1968 and moved to Chicago where Geoff went to work for Continental Bank, as well as expand the family with the birth of their son Edward. It only took a couple winters before the couple decided to look for a warmer climate. Leaving the snow behind, they made a new life in Sugar Land, Texas, where Geoff worked for the investment banking firm Rotan Mosle. It was here that they welcomed the family's first native Texan with the birth of their daughter Samantha. In 1980, Geoff traded in his suit and tie for cowboy boots and jeans and started Fairway Petroleum which operated oil wells in Kansas. His final business venture was in 1995 when he took over as CEO of Tetra Technologies, an oilfield service company in The Woodlands, Texas, which he helped found in the 1980s.

With his retirement in 2009, Geoff spent more time at his lake house in Michigan's Upper Peninsula doing what he loved the most – spending time with his family. Oh wait, no, I meant to say fishing. Don't get me wrong, if the family was around while he was fishing, well sure, that was even better, but fishing was definitely his thing.

Geoff had a great sense of humor and was a kind, loving and generous man to everyone who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Dorothy. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; son Edward and wife Diana; daughter Samantha Killian and husband Michael; four grandchildren, Danielle (Danni) and Victoria (Tori) Hertel, and Alexandria (Lexi) and Michael Killian; and sister, Patricia Peek and husband William.

There will be a "Celebration of Life" come-and-go at the Sugar Creek Country Club (upstairs main building) on Saturday, May 31st, from 2:00-5:00PM. Dress code is casual and comfortable, just how Geoff liked it.

Geoff's well-used fishing pole has finally been retired, and the walleye at the lake house can rest a little easier now.

We will miss our Poppy.

In memory of Geoff and Carol's generosity, the family asks, in lieu of flowers, that well-wishers make a donation to their favorite charity.