AMHERST - Rodney Gisick, a longtime voice teacher at area colleges and a former music director at First Congregational Church in Amherst, died unexpectedly Dec. 25, 2011, in the Philippines. He was 67.

Mr. Gisick is survived by a son, Michael Gisick of Canberra, Australia; a daughter, Kathryn Ricker of Holden; a sister, Donita Goosen of Ellinwood, Kan.; and two grandchildren.

Born in Timken, Kan., Mr. Gisick earned a bachelor's degree in music from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., and a master's degree in voice performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He did post-graduate voice training with Oren L. Brown.

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, Amherst College and privately. He was organist and choir director at First Congregational Church from 1997 until his retirement in 2007.

Mr. Gisick served as subdean of the Springfield Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and was active with the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He was a certified master gardener and an avid landscape designer and writer.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Amherst. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a scholarship fund for Jacob and Hannah, Rod's grandchildren, and sent to Kathryn Ricker, P.O. Box 145, Berlin, MA 01503.