Richard Giessel

Richard L. Giessel, 73, of Fort Collins, died Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Poudre Valley Hospital. The Fort Collins community will miss Richard, the little guy with the crew cut who was always well dressed and knew everybody; he was a fixture of Old Town. After high school in Long Beach, Calif., he moved to Fort Collins to live with his dad, Scottie Giessel, and worked for 31 years at CSU in the Food Services Department. After retirement from CSU, Richard spent many hours in McCarty's Barbershop, taking afternoon naps in the third barber chair. From here he also cheered for the CSU Rams, the Denver Broncos and St Louis Cardinals. "Richard The Lionhearted" was the name of his coffee cup at the Silver Grille, which he frequented for years. And don't forget the 3 p.m. beer at The Town Pump and the important stop along the way at Deans Barbershop. Our gratitude goes to Foothills Gateway and Community Advantage, two Fort Collins agencies who support people with disabilities. They made it possible for Richard for work at Indigo Gallery and Austin's Grill, and also supported him when he volunteered at the Democratic headquarters. How can we thank Perkins Restaurant for opening their hearts to Richard for 3 meals and 2 coffees daily for the last four years?! They made him feel welcome every day. Thank you to the community of Fort Collins from his guardians Rosemary Perkins and Trina Lee Giessel and his 75 cousins. Richard was born on July 30, 1935, in Dodge City, Kan., to Otto H Scottie Giessel and Irene Hogue Homer. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 28 at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Viewing will be 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2009, and prior to the funeral services. There will be a private burial at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Foothills Gateway or Community Advantage in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel.