In Memoriam: Frederick (Rick) W. Geissinger, 78

Senior Chase Executive, Mentor to Many in U.S. and Japan

 
 
Frederick Wallace "Rick" Geissinger, 78, a senior Chase executive for 21 years who mentored many, died on December 16, 2023. He was living in Stuart, FL, having also lived in Rumson, NJ, Evansville, IN, Houston, TX and Pelham, NY, as his highly successful 45+ year career in the financial services and banking industries took him to different states.
 
A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Chicago Business School, Geissinger started at Chase in corporate planning, served in Tokyo and became a Senior Vice President in the real estate back in New York.
 
He ultimately served as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of American General Finance for almost 20 years. Geissinger sat on several corporate boards, was an active political participant in Washington, DC, was a longtime member of the prestigious Financial Services Roundtable, and had served as a Chairman of the Housing Policy Council and as a Chairman of the American Financial Services Association (AFSA). Consulting work kept him busy in his semi-retirement years.
 
Passionate about education, he co-founded the Signature School in 2002, a charter high school in Evansville, IN, consistently rated in the top 10 high schools in the United States. Known for both his intellect and extraordinary sense of humor, he loved having an audience for his stories and to enjoy a good laugh. He was a certified and enthusiastic soccer coach of his daughter Jackie's teams, and remained in touch with many of the young women he coached who later on sought his career advice and guidance. If there was time left over, Geissinger enjoyed a competitive golf game, spending time with his grandchildren and captaining a boating trip.
 
Among his survivors are his wife, Michele, his daughter Jacqueline Geissinger Day, two grandchildren and two sisters. Geissinger's eldest daughter, Amy, was killed in a tragic bus accident in 1992 while a freshman on the Duke University campus.
 
 
 
 
Remembrances
 
Please send remembrances to
news@chasealum.org
 
From Chuck Adams: Rick was the regular subject of discussion among many of our Chase alumni, who knew him during our years together. And for many years thereafter; he was always welcoming of  approaches by so many of us who so valued his opinions and views on the broad range of subjects about which he was so well informed. He was an extraordinarily influential man and highly regarded for many of the qualities that informed Chase culture when David Rockefeller was chairman. Rest in Peace, friend, mentor and inspiration.
 
From Bill Flanz: I first met Rick while I was working at head office before my first overseas posting. Rick was a very bright, friendly individual, who always had a grin or broad smile on his face. 

     The next time we connected was in Tokyo in 1976, shortly after I got one of those Frank Stankard phone calls, saying, “We need you to move to – blank – yesterday” (Middle East in this case). Rick moved to Tokyo together with his then-wife, Ann, along with Doug Werlinich, as the senior team in Japan was being reorganized.

     I remember Rick’s arrival very well, because it led me to a forced car-sale to Rick. I had finally sold my Toyota Celica for a beautiful, bronze- colored Nissan 240 Z sports car, which I had just bought from Tom Hamm. As Tom recently reminded me, cars tended to circulate and recirculate within the Chase family. I had not driven the car for more than a month before I found out I was leaving Tokyo. Leaving that car behind was one of the many regrets I had about moving. I am sure Rick enjoyed driving it, with its great engine and smooth-shifting, manual transmission.

     Rick’s assignments prior to Tokyo had tended to be staff roles. His position in Japan brought him into a core line-management position in one of Chase’s largest businesses. The Japanese multinationals and banks were among our largest clients throughout the Chase network.

     After Japan, Rick went on to senior management positions in Chase. After a 21-year period with Chase, he served another 20 plus years as CEO of several large financial services companies.

     There is a very good description of Rick, and his successful and interesting career, in an obituary which appeared in the Washington Post. That obit and all Rick's friends who write about him use the word bright, kind and friendly. 

     I will miss him, but treasure the memories.

 

From Dick Hay: That is very sad news. He was a great friend and a passionate banker. We worked together in The Real Estate Finance Department in the 1980s. A terrific person and great colleague.

 

From Raj Singh: Very sorry to hear about Rick’s demise. I worked for Rick in the 1980s and for a while we lived in the same town of Pelham Manor in Westchester. We both went to Dartmouth and the University of Chicago for our MBAs. Rick was brilliant and a fantastic leader and mentor. I will miss him greatly. 

 
From David Weisbrod: Rick and I grew up together at Chase bank; I so very well remember Rick’s smile and engaging personality, his fairness, his integrity and the joy he brought to his work and the people with whom he mixed so well. He loved what he did and it showed and his enthusiasm was contagious. Rest in peace, dear Rick!
 
From Matt Galligan: Rick was an innovative banker, having set up the investment bank in the Real Estate Department. I remember him rolling up his sleeves to get things done while maintaining a wry sense of humor. He was approachable and kind. I am so happy that he went on to great success in the financial services industry, allowing him to touch so many lives in a positive way. Condolences to his family. RIP Rick.