LANCASTER: Robert H. Seeley, age 89, of Lancaster passed away, November 23rd, 2011 at Fairfield Medical Center. Born in Buffalo, New York, he graduated from Kenmore (New York) High School, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
In 1947, he began his corporate legal career in Cleveland, working for Erie Railroad and then Perfection Stove, which later became part of Hupp Corporation. He moved to Lancaster in 1957 to work for Anchor Hocking Corporation, where he was an in-house counsel and rose to vice president and corporate secretary. After the Newell merger in 1987 he established a private practice in Fountain Square, working almost exclusively for Newell during the first two years, and continuing his practice well into his eighties. He was honored by the Ohio State Bar Association in 1997 for 50 years of practice.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, where he served on numerous committees and boards over the years and taught Sunday school students whose names he remembered 40 years later. He was a member of Lancaster Kiwanis Club, Ohio Wesleyan University Alumni Association, Chi Phi Fraternity, and Fairfield County Bar Association. When his children were young, he served on the Lancaster Board of Education, becoming president during his second term, and was president of the local Camp Fire Girls board.
Most days for 20 years Bob walked from his home on Lanreco Boulevard to his downtown office, using the time to collect his thoughts and usually refusing offers of rides along his way. In the evenings he swam at the Tiki pool or played pickup tennis at Rising Park. He maintained many lifelong friendships stemming from his boyhood in Kenmore, his Chi Phi days at OWU, his young adult life in Cleveland, and of course his 54 years in Lancaster.
He was an avid sports fan and could discuss long-ago details of players and specific game situations, late in his life writing to a baseball author who had incorrectly described Hank Greenberg as a left-handed rather than a right-handed fielder. Hank had signed an autograph with his right hand while he and Bob waited together for their wives to deliver babies. Bob had a lifelong love for attending high-profile games and not having a ticket in advance rarely stopped him. He paid one dollar to get into the OSU's memorable 50-14 win over Michigan in 1968. Starting in 1995 he attended 11 consecutive ACC Men's Basketball Tournaments with Wade (always arriving without tickets), and became well-recognized by some ACC regulars. In the same time era he and Marge were enthusiastic attendees at 11 consecutive Stratford Shakespeare Festivals. During his last several years, no matter where he was, Bob and Marge engaged in a nightly game of competitive Scrabble. Visiting friends and family were encouraged to compete. He had a very favorable win-loss record!
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marjorie M. Seeley; his children, Linda Seeley (Steve Henderson) of San Diego; Craig Seeley of Toledo; Karen Seeley (David Samuelson) of Seattle; Laurel Seeley (Bennie Moore) of Columbus; and Wade Seeley (Holly Bauer) of San Diego; grandchildren, Jay and Caroyln Samuelson, and Kai and Stella Bauer-Seeley; brother, Dr. Richard (Arlene) Seeley of Ontario, Canada; sister-in-law Connie (Bill) Morison of Avon Lake; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Ethel Seeley; his aunts and uncles, Hannah (Leroy) Michael, and Harry (Georgine) Headwall, and his brother-in-law, Jim Kier.
A service will take place at the First Presbyterian Church, 222 N. Broad St., on Saturday at 3:00 PM, officiated by the Reverend Richard Ellsworth. A graveside service will take place on Monday at 10:30 AM at Forest Rose Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 2 until 4 PM and 6 until 8 PM on Friday at the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home. Memorials can be made in
Robert's name to Kiwanis International or a charity of your choice .
Published in the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (OH) on November 25, 2011
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