Obituaries & Guestbook

Arnold “Arnie” Gesch of Sheboygan, WI, passed away May 6, 2022. He was born on October 8, 1928, the son of Arno and Laura (Pieper) Gesch at his parent’s farmhouse in the Town of Mosel. He attended schools in Haven (elementary), Sheboygan (Central High School class of 1946) and University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Immediately upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Petty Officer 3rd Class in the Radar Division aboard the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Macon on active duty in the Atlantic. He was awarded the Victory Medal for his service at the end of WWII.

Arnie spent his early working career in partnership with his brother Gene. They owned and operated a trucking business transporting petroleum product from Illinois to Wisconsin. Later they operated Gesch Bros. Shell Service at 8th & Michigan Ave. in Sheboygan. In 1967, he joined the Vernon Company of Newton, IA and became an area sales manager for southeastern Wisconsin. He joined Prudential Lee Realty of Sheboygan, in 1981 as a broker salesman and continued with Lee until his retirement in 1990. He accepted the appointment to General Manager of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra in 1988. Arnie’s love of music led him to the Symphony in 1976 where he played String Bass for many years before his retirement from that organization. His remaining years were filled with the memories of The Symphony, traveling with a concert tour to Europe, and playing host to the many featured guest artists and musicians from around the world. Arnie loved his work with the Symphony before he finally retired from the work force in 1995. He has since spent his leisure hours traveling to Florida and California and many hours on the golf course.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marylynn Heronymous; his parents; one son, James; and brothers, William and Eugene, and Eugene’s wife, Helen.

Arnie is survived by a daughter, Laura (Ray) Johnson of Kona, Hawaii; two sons, Thomas (Suzanne) of Sheboygan and Daniel (Denise) of Two Rivers; four grandsons, David (Katie), LCDR Daniel USN (Rebekah), Michael (Kayla) and Peter (Simone); great-granddaughters, Kara, Evangeline, and Annika, and great-grandsons, Daniel John and Matthew. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces. Among other friends as survivors is his friend, Sharon Kaboord of Kohler and his church co-treasurer Dennis Udovich.

Arnie was a long time 60-year member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sheboygan and served on many boards. He served the Lord Jesus Christ, as he knew Christ loved him by giving him salvation through his death on the cross.

Arnie’s family wishes to thank Dr. Matthews and the staff at Matthews Oncology, the staff of Pine Haven (Oostburg campus), and Sharon S. Richardson Hospice Community for their excellent treatment and care.

A celebration of his life will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at 917 Mead Ave. in Sheboygan at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 14. The family will greet visitors on Saturday at the church from 1:00 pm until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Sharon S. Richardson Hospice or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sheboygan.