Erwin K. Geigle Ph.D., 72; of Minnetonka, MN, died on September 28, 2016 from complications of ALS. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Turtle Lake, ND with Pastor Sondra Krogstad officiating. Interment will be held in the Turtle Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. There will also be a memorial open house on Saturday, October 15 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka in Wayzata, MN.

He was born in Poland in 1944 to Immanuel and Maria (Jose) Geigle. Siblings Art, deceased (Janice), Emil (Nancy), Otto, Herbert, deceased (Elaine), and Erika (Alvin, deceased). The family of eight immigrated to the United States in 1952 and settled in Turtle Lake, ND, where Erwin graduated from high school in three years. Erwin completed high school in two years but wanted to play sports for another year. He participated in track, football, and wrestling where he was captain five times and MVP (most valuable player) four times.

As a boy, he worked for area farmers starting at the age of 11 years old. By the age of 16, Erwin worked in building construction, electrical work, and other types of jobs. During his late teens and as a young man, he was a licensed and bonded general contractor.

Erwin pursued higher education and obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.B.) and Master of Science Degree (M.S.) from the University of North Dakota and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. During his tenure as a student, he had a variety of part-time positions such as dormitory counselor, lab instructor in the Engineering Department, draftsman in the Research Department, academic advisor, and team leader on several research projects. He obtained a very coveted scholarship for three years as a National Research Fellow through the United States Department of Education. Erwin enjoyed the academic environment as he spent 11 years as a full-time student after high school.

Janice J Dockter and Erwin were married on November 1, 1969 in Turtle Lake, ND. They shared similar values which they instilled to their three children; Maria (Jason Moon and grandson, Isaac), Julia (Florent Martel) and Solomon. Erwin was very proud of his Family and he valued a formal education. Maria has a Master of Arts Degree, Julia has a Master of Social Work Degree, and Solomon has a Bachelor of Arts Degree. These educational accomplishments of his family were extremely important to Erwin.

Education, government, and private industry are how Erwin wanted to "experience a career." In education, he was a high school teacher, a college professor, and a technical college president. In government, he held positions in program planning, financial analysis, statistical modeling, research design and methodology, contract consulting and executive level leadership. While in private industry, Erwin was initially employed as the Information Technology (IT) Director with a staff of 65 computer science employees. He later held positions as vice president and president. His last position in a company of 350 employees was that of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Over the years, Erwin never forgot his roots—the small town upbringing in rural America. He cherished the kindness of neighbors and friends, the special support of teachers, and the nurturing of a supportive community. Erwin was very proud of the people of Turtle Lake, the community he always called "his home town." He was very proud of the local school and grateful for the education he received in Turtle Lake, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Turtle Lake Cemetery Fund, St. Stephen's Human Services, the Autism Society of Minnesota, or a charity of your choice.