Valpo U. mourns loss of engineering dean Seeley
Valparaiso University students and teachers mourned the loss of a respected and loved educator on Monday.
On a professional level, colleagues described Gerald Seeley as a fine teacher, an outstanding dean and a leader with finesse in adeptly managing college affairs.
Woven into his proficiency as dean of the college of engineering, was a gentle spirit full of grace and wisdom.
"Those are two things that I would say really characterized Gerry -- grace and wisdom," said Roy Austensen, vice president of academic affairs.
"He could undertake some of the most difficult tasks and he did it brilliantly, diffusing difficulties."
Seeley, 61, joined the Valparaiso University faculty in 1983 and accepted the appointment as dean of the college of engineering in 1999.
During his tenure at the university, Seeley served in a number of capacities.
Whether trying to tackle parking issues as the chairman of the Campus Planning and Space Allocation Committee or working with financial issues on the Budget Advisory Committee, Seeley wove his quick wit and great sense of humor into the task, said Reggie Syrcle, executive director of university relations.
"He had a wonderful sense of humor and he retained it no matter what kind of job he was tackling," he said.
"He always had a quick quip. That was part of his very engaging personality. He could tease and trade quips with the best of them yet he was a very serious person. His sense of humor never deterred from the task. He was a problem-solver."
"Gerry was a very well liked person on campus," Syrcle said. "He will truly be missed."
Seeley maintained that positive approach, even during his short battle with cancer, Syrcle said.
Prior to joining Valparaiso University, Seeley taught 10 years at Tri-State University in Angola, with his last five years there as dean of the school of engineering. Earlier, Seeley was a development engineer with Honeywell Inc. and Union Carbide Corp.
Before that, Seeley played professional baseball for the Detroit Tigers minor league system.
Seeley frequently spoke at national professional meetings and served as a consultant to several organizations.
Within the Valparaiso community, Seeley had served as a Visiting Nurse Association board member and as house captain for Christmas in April.
Campus officials call for prayers for wife, Barbara Woller Seeley, and sons Marc and Kris.
A memorial service will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Chapel of the Resurrection.
all of whom were at his bedside as Seeley's life came to its conclusion.
"We are all reeling," Austensen said. "We needed more time with him."
A memorial service will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Chapel of the Resurrection.
Published in the Post-Tribune (IN) - April 17, 2001
Jerry Seeley
Dr. Gerald R. Seeley, Indiana Section President 1997-1997, passed away on April 16, 2001 after a very short illness. Cause of death was cancer and he will be greatly missed by his many friends and members of the Indiana Section, ASCE. The District 9 Council sent flowers and the Indiana contributed $300 in his name to the Valparaiso University College of Engineering Initiative. At the time of his death, he served the Indiana Section as a delegate to the District 9 Council, ASCE.
Dr. Seeley joined the Valparaiso University faculty in 1983, was named Brandt Professor of Engineering in 1998 and accepted appointment as Dean of the College of Engineering in 1999 following a national search. He served two appointments totaling five years as chair of the Department of Civil Engineering.
In addition to his teaching and administrative responsibilities, he served the University community in many ways. Most recently he devoted significant time in his role as chair of the Campus Planning and Space Allocation Committee. He also had served on numerous committees and ad hoc groups including the Budget Advisory Committee, the North Central Association Steering Committee, Faculty Senate, Honor Council and the University Level Strategic Planning Committee to name a few. Among his many professional activities, he was a past president of the Indiana Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a past chairman of the Civil Engineering Division of the American Society for Engineering Education. He also was a former chair of the PEE Division of the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers and a past chair of the History of Science Committee of the Indiana Academy of Science. He was awarded an ASEE Centennial Certificate in 1993 and its George K. Wadlin Distinguished Service Award in 1997.
Prior to joining the VU faculty, he taught 10 years at Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, serving his last five years there as Dean of the School of Engineering. Earlier, he was a development engineer with Honeywell Inc. and Union Carbide Corp. Once a professional baseball player in the Detroit Tigers minor league system, he was assistant baseball coach for two years while at Tri-State. Dr. Seeley's parents, Raymond and Dolores Seeley of Wausau, Wisconsin, his wife, Barbara Woller Seeley, and sons, Marc and Kris, were at his bedside as Dr. Seeley's life on earth came to its conclusion.
Published by the American Society of Civil Engineers
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