Gilbert A. Geisz

Gil was a pilot, veteran, and mechanical genius, as well as a devoted husband, father, stepfather, and grandfather. He was known for his sense of humor and his larger-than-life personality.

From early in life, Gil was an adventurous risk-taker who had a love of motorcycles, airplanes, fast cars, hang gliders, and scuba diving - to the point that his high school yearbook named him “the least likely to make it to age 25.” Fortunately for all who knew and loved him, he lived 56 years beyond that dire prediction! His adventurous spirit inspired his family to be open to challenges and adventure.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on February 7, 1944, to Charles and Nellie (Hogan) Geisz, Gil was raised in Flint, Michigan, along with his older brother Geoffrey. Gil started building go-karts as a child, which evolved into refurbishing motorcycles, cars, and airplanes as a teenager. He and Geoffrey attended their first airshow in the summer of 1962 and by the following spring, had earned enough money to buy an unflyable 1938 Aeronca Chief 50-C. They worked through refurbishing the aircraft and started flight lessons in it by May. Naturally gifted in flight, Gil first soloed in July 1963 as a true stick and rudder pilot.

Gil was called to serve his country in November, 1967. He served as a Forward Air Controller (0-1 “Bird Dog” pilot) from 1969 to 1970 in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. Gil continued his service flying missions in Germany during the Cold War, and culminated his 30-year military career with the Wyoming Army National Guard.

After leaving active duty in 1972, Gil returned to college at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to finish his aviation engineering degree. Over the course of his career, he worked as a private pilot, a corporate pilot, and a commercial pilot for American Airlines. He rose to the level of check airman and retired as a captain at age 60. When he retired, he had logged over 32,000 hours. His job at American allowed him to travel the world, and he was delighted that his wife Jan accompanied him on many of his trips.

Gil and Jan met in Boulder, Colorado, and were married in the Rocky Mountains in 1986, in the presence of their four daughters. During their nearly 40 years of marriage, Gil and Jan lived in Boulder, Florida, New Hampshire, and finally returned to Colorado to their home in the Black Forest in Colorado Springs, where they have lived for the last 15 years.

Gil’s lifelong passion was designing and building original airplanes and cars. They started out as dining room table drawings, then construction began in the living room, and was finished in the garage or hanger. He was truly gifted as an engineer, designer, and builder. One of his original airplanes, Gizmo, is on display at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver. Gizmo was a labor of love, and received numerous awards and trophies. It was featured in aviation publications and videos that highlighted Gil’s craftsmanship. He enjoyed taking his family on rides in the airplanes and cars he designed and built. His creativity, artistic skill, and intellect were apparent to all who knew him, but he was humble in his achievements. He shared his knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm with everyone he met.

When he wasn’t working in his garage, Gil enjoyed sitting on his porch swing (which of course he designed and built himself), watching thunderstorms and hummingbirds. He enjoyed eating homemade meals from Jan, especially her desserts. He was known for his sweet tooth, especially his love of chocolate.

Beloved by his many friends and family, Gil was famous for his jokes and gregarious personality. His family loved to tease him for telling the same jokes over and over, and Gil seemed to especially enjoy getting a rise out of Jan from his cheekier jokes and limericks. He was a devoted and caring grandfather to his six grandchildren, who all loved their “Papa Gil” very much.

Gilbert is survived by his wife Janet Geisz, his daughters Heidi Geisz (Cotton) and Holly Geisz, his stepdaughters Debbie Sorensen (Drury) and Brooke Ditlow, his sons-in-law Chip Cotton, Easan Drury, and Jad Ditlow, his grandchildren Abby Ditlow, Riley Ditlow, Jasper Cotton, Hadley Drury, Ruby Cotton, and Piper Drury, and his brother Geoffrey Geisz.

A visitation will be held at Swan-Law Funeral Home in Colorado Springs from 4 to 6 pm on Tuesday, July 29th, 2025.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Please be at Staging Area B at 10:15 a.m, and stay in your vehicle for the procession. Please use the Kenyon entrance at the cemetery.

A memorial reception to follow at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., 7711 E Academy Blvd, Denver, CO 80230.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Gil’s honor to The National Parks Foundation, The Purple Heart Foundation, or the Union of Concerned Scientists.