Irving R. Seely
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: September 28, 1913
Date of Death: February 6, 2006
Birth Place: Champagne, IL
Death Place: Walnut Creek, CA
Irving R. Seely
Sept. 28, 1913 – Feb. 6, 2006
Irv died in Walnut Creek at the age of 92. His wife, Ruth T. Seely, preceded him in death in 1995. The untimely death of his wife and wonderful partner was a significant and lasting loss for Irv. His survivors include his three children, Fred Seely and wife, Christine, Steve Seely and wife, Heidi, and daughter, Linda Giacobazzi; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Irv was born and raised in Champagne, IL and his years as a student at the University of Illinois were very significant in his life. He was an accomplished athlete and student leader. In 1932 Irv placed first in the NCAA pole vault competition, received the Big Ten medal for outstanding student athlete and participated in the pole vault at the 1932 Olympic Trials in Los Angeles. His father, Professor Fred B. Seely, was the head of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the University of Illinois for nearly 20 years and the author of text books used in this department. Irv followed in his father’s footsteps and received a degree in mechanical engineering. After working in the ship yards in Texas in the early 1940s, he moved into the aluminum industry, retiring from Kaiser Aluminum, Oakland. Irv and Ruth were active members at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, both serving as deacons. After his retirements, he served as Business Administrator at LOPC for three years and enjoyed serving the church in this role. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service on Friday, February 24, 4:00pm at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in his name to Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church or to the University of Illinois Foundation for the Fred B. Seely Fund, at 1305 West Green St., Urbana, IL 61801.
Published in the Contra Costa Times from February 15, 2006 – February 16, 2006.
[Great-Grandson of SGS # 3890 – Irving R.; Fred B.; Fred B.; Charles Board (#3890); Thaddeus (# 1759); Thaddeus; Thaddeus; Ebenezer, Jonas; Obadiah]
