In Tribute: Dr. Thomas E. Gieschen

Dr.Thomas E. Gieschen, 74, passed away April 25, 2006 in Bethesda Home, Chicago. He was
born July 11, 1931, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to Wener and Myrtle Gieschen, and had been a resident of Oak Park and River Forest since 1957.

He attended St. John Lutheran Elementary School in Wauwatosa, and graduated from Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1948. Dr. Gieschen attended the Wisconsin Conservatory for several years before enrolling at Concordia University (then Teachers College) in River Forest, Illinois. After a receiving a bachelor of science degree from Concordia in 1952, he attended the University of Michigan for several summers, and then Northwestern University, where he received a
master of music degree in organ in 1958, and a doctorate in church music in 1968.

Dr. Gieschen began his professional service at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Detroit in 1952 where he served as teacher, organist, and choir director for three years. In 1955, he was called to serve the same ministries at Emmaus in Milwaukee. He joined the Concordia faculty in 1957.

In addition to his teaching and conducting responsibilities, he served as the dean of the Chapel, chair of the music department, music director director and adviser to the Foresters, a member of the Student Life Policies Committee and the Chapel-Auditorium Planning Committee. He has served as a workshop leader at many conferences and conducted numerous choral clinics, and was in continuous service as a church organist. During his career, he gave more than 50 formal organ recitals. As a consultant and designer, he contributed to the organ building projects of numerous congregations.

Dr. Gieschen probably is best known at Concordia as a choral conductor. He conducted Kapelle, the University’s premier vocal ensemble, for 34 years, the Festival Chorus for 11 years, and the Chapel Choir for four years. His work with Kapelle took him on national and international tours, including a command performance before the King of Thailand, the National Tree Lighting Ceremony with President Lyndon Johnson, and a performance at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall. His publications
reflect a variety of Organ and choral settings.

He is survived by his wife, Roselyn, their four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Feel free to read both the Sermon and Eulogy from the memorial service held at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Illinois.