Richard H. Seeley

Richard H. Seeley
Richard H. Seeley, age 91, "snuck out" on March 10, 2007 in Boise, Idaho. He was born on the family farm in a "prove up shack" near Hazelton on May 30, 1915 to James Ross (JR) Seeley and Hannah Spencer Seeley. He had two older sisters, Ada and Helen and one younger one, Dortha. He attended schools in the Hazelton area and after graduation from high school worked on the family farm for a year before attending the University of Idaho. A typical young college student he didn't know what he wanted to do so he entered law school "because I didn't know anything about it and it sounded interesting," graduating with a degree in law in 1938. While studying for the bar exam, he accepted a job in Jerome, Idaho as Deputy Sheriff where he learned the skill of "sitting on the back of my head" in a patrol car. He passed the bar in 1939 and was elected Jerome County Prosecuting Attorney, a position he held until his retirement in 1984. In addition he had a successful private practice and was City Attorney. At his death he was one of the two oldest licensed attorneys in Idaho. More important to him than the practice of law was his family. He married Victoria Cassels Scott, whom he had met in an economics class at the University of Idaho, on May 25, 1940 in Nampa, Idaho. They eloped and were secretly married for a time because during the war years in Idaho female school teachers couldn't be married. His first child, Vickie, was born July 13, 1941 followed quickly by his first son, Jim, who was born on Richard's 27th birthday, May 30, 1942. Peg was born Feb. 8, 1946, and Don on July 29, 1949. He always was, and will continue to be, a guiding force for his children, all of whom he put through college. He instilled in them humor, wit, independence, sincerity, curiosity, tenacity and the importance of being true to one's self and family. In addition to his family and vocation, he was an avid golfer and fisherman and loved a good game of poker with his many friends. Having been introduced to golf by Victoria's Scottish relatives he became an avid golfer and was instrumental in the formation, construction, and later expansion of Jerome Country Club. He was a voracious reader, especially of history, who could tell you who every presidential candidate and running mate was, even those who lost, and knew facts and anecdotes about historical events unknown to the casual reader. He loved music especially classical and country, Mother Maybelle Carter being a favorite. The knowledge gained farming as a child showed up in his beautiful flower gardens and yard. After retirement he and Victoria lived in Sun City West, Ariz., before moving to Boise, Idaho at the turn of the century. He was preceded in death by his parents; J.R. and Hannah Seeley, his sisters Helen (Grant) Roylance, Ada (Van) Emerson, Dortha Seeley, an unnamed infant sibling, his grandson Jason Barlow, and many longtime friends. He is survived by his wife of nearly 67 years, Victoria, of Boise, his children; Vickie Barlow (Ron Jacobs) of Perrinton, Michigan, Jim Seeley (Rae) of Lincolnshire, Illinois, Peg Montgomery of Boise, Idaho, Don Seeley (Terri) of Perrinton, Mich., four grandchildren; Jeff Barlow of Seattle, Wash., Anna Seeley of Portland, Ore., Sara Montgomery of Boise, Idaho, and Megan Seeley of Reno, Nev., and one great grandson, Jacob Barlow of Perrinton. Though a quiet and sometimes shy man he left his mark on all who met him. To the end he was a gracious, considerate, and often humorous man who chose to "sneak out" after those close to him had left his bedside for the night. At his request cremation will take place and there will be no service. A memorial ceremony will be held at a later date, North of Sun Valley at the top of Trail Creek Summit. Arrangements are by Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel.

Published in the Idaho Statesman on 3/13/2007.

Richard Seeley

Richard Seeley, 91, of Boise, formerly of Jerome and Sun City West, Ariz., died Saturday, March 10, 2007 at a Boise care center No services will be held. Arrangements are under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel.

Published in the Idaho Press Tribune on 3/12/2007

Quiet confidence, good humor were attorney's trademarks
By Stephanie Eddy - Idaho Statesman

Attorney Richard H. Seeley was recognized in 2004 during an annual Idaho State Bar Association meeting for his service during 65 years as a lawyer, during which time he was a mentor to many upcoming attorneys, including Idaho Supreme Court Justices Jim Jones and Roger Burdick.

Seeley served 45 years as Jerome County Prosecuting Attorney before formally retiring in 1984. He continued to serve clients throughout the years, keeping his license active until his death on March 10 in Boise. Seeley was 91.

Justice Burdick was a young attorney starting out when he met Seeley.

"He was very understated, very dignified, very quiet, very confident. I was more aggressive as a young lawyer and I liked to see him get as much or more than I did with a different style and a different approach," Burdick said.

"As a lawyer growing up at that time in a town the size of Jerome, he really played an important part in the fabric of Idaho. Many new lawyers would do well to aspire to the type of demeanor and confidence of Richard Seeley," Burdick added.

Seeley approached his role as husband and father with equal promise. He eloped to Nampa in 1940 with Victoria Cassels Scott, a schoolteacher from Thatcher. The couple remained secretly married because, at that time, female teachers in Idaho couldn't be married and they needed the money.

That changed in 1941 with the birth of their first daughter, Vickie, followed 10 months later by brother Jim, then Peggy and Don.

"He had a really good sense of humor. One time we were eating at the dinner table and dad was being very quiet. Later, he revealed a tape recorder under some newspapers. He'd recorded our dinner conversation so we could hear how noisy we were. He did a lot of goofy things like that," said daughter Vickie Barlow.

"On the weekends when we would go camping, he would tell us all to load up. Then after everyone was already in the station wagon and ready, we were supposed to honk the horn then he would come out to go," she said.

When Justice Jones was establishing his own law practice in Jerome, Seeley offered advice and guidance. Later, Seeley, Jones and another attorney formed their own law firm.

"He was the epitome of the country lawyer — an unassuming person, very intelligent and reflective, always fair. He did a good job for his clients," Jones said.

"Even though he was living in Boise these past years, he would always go back to Jerome to visit people and keep in touch. He would go out of his way to serve," he said. "Richard was dedicated and not in it for the money, the fame or the glory. He was just a guy who was there to help and do some good."

In Remembrance is a weekly profile on a local resident who has recently died. Contact Boise news assistant Stephanie Eddy at seddy@idahostatesman.com or 377-6481.

Published in the Idaho Statesman on 3/26/2007

[Great-grandson of SGS #2337 - Richard H.; James Ross; Hyrum; Justus Wellington (#2337); Justus Azel (#836); Justus William; Joseph; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel, Robert]