Howard Seelye: Seelye, journalist and Whittier native, dies
WHITTIER - Howard Seelye, a former Whittier Daily News reporter whose Quaker family settled in the area at the turn of the 20th century, died at his Fallbrook home Feb. 12 from a cancer-related illness.
He was 86.
Seelye graduated from both Whittier High School and Whittier College and spent much of his professional life as a newspaperman, family members said Monday.
"He had a very wonderful, full life, and he did an incredible amount of things," his son, Randy Seelye, said. "He lived his life to the fullest, and we celebrate his life."
Seelye began his career as a cartoonist in high school, then attended Fullerton Junior College and served in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years during
World War II.
He returned to his hometown and attended Whittier College, where he eventually became editor of the Quaker Campus newspaper and met and married his wife, Gloria.
He began working as a Whittier Daily News reporter and sports columnist upon graduating in 1948, and later worked at the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Post-Press Newspapers in El Centro and the Orange County edition of the Los Angeles Times.
He purchased the Pismo Times in Pismo Beach and helped buy the Palos Verdes Newspapers, both of which were later sold. He also dabbled in politics, resigning as managing editor of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in 1960 to make a bid for Congress, which he lost.
Seelye also served as press secretary for the late U.S. Rep. Robert Badham, R-Newport Beach, in 1976, and handled public relations for the California Avocado Commission for eight years after relocating to an avocado ranch in Fallbrook in 1995.
"My heart goes out to the family - I've known his wife as long as I knew him," said retired Daily News editor Bill Bell, who last saw the Seelyes at his retirement party in September.
"I'll always be grateful to Howard for giving me my first chance at a newspaper job at the Tribune in November 1957," Bell said.
"I found him to be a fair and decent man, and we worked together for two years before he left to run for Congress," Bell said. "His family roots in Whittier ran deep, and it was ironic that I ended up as editor of the newspaper in his hometown."
Seelye came from a family of Quakers who settled in Whittier around 1900 and were all members of the First Friends Church, his son said.
Both Seelye's wife, Gloria, and son, Randy, shared his passion for journalism. Randy Seelye recently retired from the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat after a 40-year career in journalism that included a brief stint at the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Four years ago, Howard Seelye was inducted into the Whittier High Hall of Fame, and officials with the school's alumni association said it also honored him and his wife for their service to Whittier High and their careers.
Seelye is survived by his wife; son, Randy, of Santa Rosa; daughter, Jeri Lynn, of Clinton, Tenn.; brother, Robert, of La Habra; three granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for about 150 friends and family was held Sunday in Fallbrook. A private burial service will take place today at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Published in The Whittier Daily News, (CA) - February 18, 2008
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