William G. Seeley, 74
Monday, September 10 William G. Seeley, 74, of 91 Summer St., Williamstown, died early Saturday morning, Sept. 8, 2007, at North Adams Regional Hospital.
He was born in Hartford, Conn., on Sept. 29, 1932, a son of Walter Seeley and Helen (Glover) Seeley. He attended schools in Springfield and Natick and graduated from Natick High School in 1950. In high school, he was a member of the varsity football team that won the Division 3 State Championship.
He was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the Navy on the crew of the destroyer escort USS Howard D. Crow.
In 1954, he was admitted to MIT under the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 1958. While at MIT, he was a member of the varsity hockey team.
Following his graduation, he joined the former Sprague Electric Co. in North Adams in its special products division, rising to the position of chief engineer. He took his master's degree in physics at Williams College, under a program set up by Sprague and Williams. He left Sprague in 1966 to become a member of the mathematics faculty at North Adams State College (now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts). In 1968, he founded the physics department at the college, serving as its chairman for many years.
While at NASC, he completed his Ph.D. in theoretical physics at SUNY, Albany in 1972. He retired from MCLA in 2006 but remained with the college to direct its Center for Robotic Arts. During his professional career, he was the author of several technical papers and held five U.S. patents, all related to his work in electronics and condensed-matter physics, fields in which he also worked as a consultant to various corporate and government agencies.
He was a member of First Congregational Church of Williamstown. Active in sports, he played ice hockey all of his life in various leagues. He became an active snowboarder at age 65 and a BMX racer at age 66, competing in BMX on the national level in the National Bicycle League. He was ranked seventh in the nation while racing at the age of 69 in the 55 and older age group.
He leaves his wife, the former Alicia "Alice" Jean Costa, whom he married on Jan. 31, 1958, in Cambridge; three sons, Wesley and David Seeley of Williamstown, and Jeffrey Seeley of Springfield; a brother, Robert Seeley of Mystic, Conn.; a grandson, Jacob Seeley of Williamstown; a cousin, Norman "Bud" Knight of Cohasset, and many nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral to celebrate the life of William Seeley will be held Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church of Williamstown, with the Rev. Carrie Bail, pastor, officiating. Burial will be private.
Calling hours at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, are today (Monday, Sept. 10) from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in care of the funeral home.
Published in the North Adams Transcript (MA) - September 10, 2007
William G. Seeley
WILLIAMSTOWN -- Funeral services for William Glover Seeley, 74, of 91 Summer St. were celebrated Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ with the Rev. Carrie Bail, pastor, officiating.
The lector was Jeffrey Parkman. Words of love and reflections were delivered by Mary Grant, President of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Eric Rudd, friend, and Jeffrey Seeley, son. The usher was Susan Smith.
The organist was Edwin Lawrence, minister of music.
Military honors were conducted by members of the Richard A. Ruether American Legion Post 152. Edward Pratt, chaplain, offered the veteran’s prayer and recited “What the Flag Stands For.” Gary Walsh and Rolland Roy folded the flag, which Mr. Pratt to Dr. Seeley’s wife, Alicia “Alice” Seeley.
Members of the color guard were Earl Green, William Noyes, Robert Geary Sr., Robert Geary Jr., George Sylvester, Joseph Gerry, Ernie Monroe and Cecil Harvey. Ronald Whitney played taps.
Pallbearers were Patrick Cunningham, Kim Byrd, Brian Gravel, Robert Waltermire, David Waltermire and Edward Joy.
Dr. Seeley died Sept. 8. The Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 W. Main St., North Adams, was in charge of arrangements.
Published in the North Adams Transcript on 9/12/2007.
Tribute to Bill Seeley
Tuesday, September 18 Editor's note: The following appeared on a Northern Berkshire blog whose author would prefer to remain anonymous. The Transcript has been asked to relax our policy of not printing unsigned letters and to reprint it as a letter. Out of respect and admiration for the late William Seeley, who founded the physics department at North Adams State College, now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and was a major force at the institution, we have done so with only minor editing for clarity.
To the editor:
It's a sad day not only for alumni and staff of MCLA but for critical thinkers around the country. A friend, professor and just an all around great guy, Bill Seeley, has passed away.
I've known Bill for probably 30 years, and he was one of the most influential teachers in my life. It always amazed me that someone of his intelligence chose to stay in NA and teach at a small state school when he most likely had offers to go anywhere in the world.
Bill didn't just teach the subject matter; he taught you how to think how to look at a problem and break it down. Lessons that I've used far from my training in physics — life lessons that I employ every day.
Though a very practical man, Bill would support you in any endeavor and was always willing to lend a hand if he could. One of Bill's great teaching tactics, and one I think education in general would do well to adopt, was not whether the final answer to a question was right or wrong — but how did you arrive at that answer; what was the thought process; what formulas did you employ and why?
My interpretation of Bill's message is that mistakes in adding, subtracting, multiplication and division are easy to correct, but if you don't understand how to get from point A to point B, they are irrelevant. Once you understand the process, the solution can be applied to any problem of the same nature, and the correct answer will come.
I will miss Bill, but no doubt he is already figuring out how to make the Pearly Gates swing with frictionless ease. Rest in Peace my friend — you have earned it.
Published in the North Adams Transcript (MA) - September 18, 2007
William G. Seeley
WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. - William G. Seeley 74 of Williamstown, Ma. on September 8, 2007. Devoted husband of the former Alicia "Alice" Costa of Cambridge; Beloved father of Wesley and David of Williamstown; and Jeffrey of Springfield, MA.; Grandfather to Jacob Seeley of Williamstown; Brother of Robert Seeley of Mystic, CT.; and cousin of Norman "Bud" Knight of Cohasset. Funeral Tuesday September 11, 2007 at 11:00 AM at First Congregational Church of Williamstown. Interment Private. Calling hours at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS WEST CHAPELS 521 West Main St. Nother Adams, are Monday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445 - 7226, Attention: Contribution Services. Member of Natick High School class of 1950 state champion football team; Navy veteran of Korean War. Graduate of MIT class of 1954. Founder of Physics Dept. and its longtime chairman at Mass. College of Liberal Arts (formerly North Adams State College) Lifelong hockey player and was nationally ranked BMX racer at age 69 in the over 55 Group.
Published in The Republican, (Springfield, MA) - September 10, 2007
SEELEY, William G.
SEELEY, William G. 74, of Williamstown, MA on September 8, 2007. Devoted husband of the former Alicia "Alice" Costa of Cambridge; Beloved father of Wesley and David of Williamstown; and Jeffrey of Springfield, MA; Grandfather to Jacob Seeley of Williamstown; Brother of Robert Seeley of Mystic, CT; and cousin of Norman "Bud" Knight of Cohasset. Funeral Tuesday September 11, 2007 at 11:00 AM at First Congregational Church of Williamstown. Interment Private. Calling hours at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals West Chapels, 521 West Main St., NORTH ADAMS, are Monday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226, Attention: Contribution Services. Member of Natick High School class of 1950 state champion football team; Navy veteran of Korean War. Graduate of MIT class of 1954. Founder of Physics Dept and its longtime chairman at Mass. College of Liberal Arts (formerly North Adams State College). Lifelong hockey player and was nationally ranked BMX racer at age 69 in the over 55 Group.
Published in The Boston Globe, (MA) - September 10, 2007
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