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Celebrating the life of

Richard (Rabbi) Martin Geriner, Sr.

February 22, 1940 - June 14, 2022

Richard (Rabbi) Martin Geriner, Sr.

Richard “Rabbi” Martin Geriner, Sr., 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
The native and lifelong resident of Savannah was born on February 22, 1940, to the late Henry Butler Geriner, Jr. and Clara Henges Geriner. Rabbi was a 1957 graduate of Savannah High School and attended Armstrong Junior College. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Forestry.  While attending UGA, Rabbi was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity where he served as their Chaplain. 

Rabbi briefly worked for The Savannah Bank before entering a life insurance career with Northwestern Mutual that spanned over 58 years. Rabbi continued his professional education by obtaining the distinguished certifications of CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) and ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) and M.S.F.S. (Master of Science and Financial Service).

In 1963, Rabbi began as a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Life, became the District Agent and eventually a Senior Financial Representative. While with Northwestern Mutual, Rabbi was a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table and built the agency into a highly productive agency. He enjoyed his work of helping people provide financial security for themselves and their loved ones working in the personal, business, and estate marketplace. As a district agent, he recruited several successful representatives that achieved their successes.

During his productive years, he was a member of several civic, professional, and business organizations and clubs. He was a member and former president of the Downtown Optimist Club, charter member and former president of The Savannah Chapter of CLU’s, a member of Savannah Life Underwriters (NAIFA-Savh), and a member and former president Savannah Estate Planning Council. He was also a  member of The Forest City Gun Club, LaVida Country Club, and The Savannah Golf Club.

He enjoyed the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. In the beginning, Rabbi loved to duck hunt locally and eventually started an “annual trip” to Arkansas which he took for over thirty years. He and his sons and later, his grandsons would “load up the gear”, and head on the “great annual hunt”. Rabbi’s fishing was mostly at the South Carolina Geriner Fox Island Fish Camp. He started fishing there with his father and brother Bill, then his children. He also loved playing cards and was known as a “tight/safe player” in poker and gin. 

In 1963, when he entered the life insurance business, he married the love of his life, Betty Alice Hasty. They spent their adult lives together, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2013 with a wonderful party given by their four children. He and Betty took several family and personal trips . They enjoyed family time together, especially at their Tybee Island Beach home with the children and grandchildren. Nine months after their anniversary, Betty passed away after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.
Rabbi always believed that God has a plan for everyone; he met Joan Wright, and they were blessed to be married since February 2018.

In addition to his wife Joan, Rabbi is survived by his four children, Richard M. Geriner, Jr. and his wife, Janet, Craig Geriner, Andrew Geriner and his wife, Annette, and Laura Hooks and her husband, Robert Hooks of Asheville, NC ; grandchildren, Richard M. “Tripp” Geriner, III, John Carter Geriner, Holden Butler Geriner, Andrew Carter “Beau” Geriner, Jr., Jack Allen Geriner, Harmon Laurel Hooks and Henges Joseph Hooks; and sister-in-law, Linda Geriner.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 20, 2022, at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension. A private interment will be held in Hillcrest Abbey East Cemetery. 
Remembrances may be made to Evangelical Lutheran Church of theAscension, 120 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401 or the charity of your choice. 

 

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

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GUEST BOOK

Richard has been my worthy landlord for 10 years in his office building. He was a gentle, honest, and good-hearted person. I am greatly saddened by his passing and pray each member of his family finds peace, mercy, and comfort during this time.

- Donna McNeely Hammontree, Savannah, Ga

Condolences

- Buddy Martin, Savannah, GA

My deepest condolences go out to the family. Know that you are in my heart. I treasure getting to know him in recent years. DonnaMobley

- Donna S Mobley, Savannah, GA

Rabbi has been our friend since the 60's, and handled our insurance needs for 45+ years. One of our last conversations was when he called to let us know that he and Joan had married...... and that he was over the moon happy. We send our condolences to the whole family, and will share your loss. Janet (Hatfield) and Mike Blackstone

- Janet (Hatfield) and Michael Blackstone, Jacksonville, Florida

So sorry to hear about Rabbi, may he Rest In Peace !!!!

- Jimmy & Karen traver, Aurora, Colorado 80016

Uncle Richard holds a special place in my heart, as does my other late uncle and his brother, Bill. As a young child I remember visits to Bluffton SC where the Geriner clan would gather for fun. I have fond childhood memories of spending time with my grandparents, Uncle Bill & Aunt Linda; Uncle Richard & Aunt Betty, and of course my Geriner cousins. My late father (Henry Butler Geriner, III aka 'Buddy') was his eldest brother. Uncle Richard and my Dad sounded so much alike - over the years whenever I would hear Uncle Richard's voice, I would feel like I was talking to my Dad again. Other than his kindness and supportive nature I will miss that voice most of all. He was a good man and I am proud to be his niece. He will be missed.

- Lynn Geriner McAuliffe, Marietta, GA

Dear Geriner Family, my sincere condolences to all of the family members. Loosing a love one so un-expectantly is hard. May God grant all of you comfort as you grieve the loss of your dear father. As a Christian you have the wonderful assurance of meeting him again someday.

- Curl, Savannah, GA

Suzanne and I extend our condolences to Rabbi’s family. May you Rest In Peace

- Bobby Everette, Savannah, Ga

Rabbi was a great guy.

- Jay White, Bessemer, Alabama

Kim and I were so blessed to sit close to Rabbi and Betty and lately Joan in church. We shared so many pleasant times in church where he always kept us up to date on all the members of the ever growing family. He was always the perfect gentleman. He certainly set an example for all of us to follow. We pray for him and all of the Geriner’s. We all celebrate a life well lived!!

- Kim and Mark Smith, Savannah , GA

to the family I am truly sorry to hear of Richard's passing, I never called him Rabbi although I knew he was known by Rabbi.. I bought my first of several policies from Richard in about 1967. Richard gave me some advice that literally changed my life, while talking with him he mentioned he had a degree in forestry . at that time i was at UGA majoring in forestry. Richard dissuaded me from continuing that path and getting a degree in business, which i did,. thanks to Richard I had a good life. he always took an interest in everyone. you will be missed my friend and mentor, phil hinely

- philip hinely , gastonia , north carolina

What a shock! While we were not as close to Rabbi, Betty was a close friend and his children at BC was loved by all Condolences to his family We love you.

- Hugh & Alberta Scott, Savannah, Georgia

Mr. Richard is my landlord. He was kind and I am glad to have met him. I pray for comfort for the family. In the name of Jesus.

- Jenny Kendrick, Atlanta, GA

Services under the direction of:

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200