BISON — Rodney D. Gisick, 67, died unexpectedly on Dec. 25, 2011.
Born April 28, 1944 in Bison, he was the son of Clarence and Naomi (Reichel) Gisick. In 1962, he graduated from Bison High School. He studied music at Bethany College in Lindsborg and the New England Conservatory of music in Boston, Mass., where he earned a master’s degree in Voice Performance in 1968. He was an active vocal performer and voice teacher for many years in New England, New York City and elsewhere, teaching at the University of Massachusetts and Amherst College. He was an organist and choir director at First Congregational Church in Amherst, Mass. from 1997 until 2007, when he retired. He served as dean of the Springfield, Mass. Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and was active with the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He was an avid gardener, landscape designer and writer.
Survivors include a son, Michael Gisick, Canberra, Australia; a daughter Kathryn Ricker, Holden, Mass.; a sister, Donita Goosen, Ellinwood; two grandchildren, Jacob Ricker and Hannah Ricker; and two nephews.
A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9 at the Bison Methodist Church in Bison. Inurnment will follow at Lone Star Cemetery in Bison.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Kimple, Inc. Funeral Home *
113 N. Main
P.O. Box 246
Ellinwood, KS, 67526
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, June 3, 2012