Ernest "Pete" Seymour, age 84, of Eau Claire passed away peacefully at Dove Healthcare September 1st, 2011.
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Pete was born August 6th, 1927, in Chicago, IL, the oldest son of Ernest A. and Anna (Sime) Seymour. Anna planned to name her son after her father, Peter, while Ernest wanted to pass on his name. Ernest the elder got to the birth certificate first, so the newborn's name was officially Ernest, but he was always known as Pete (in fact, it wasn't until he joined the Navy that he learned his legal name was actually Ernest).
The Seymours moved to Lombard, IL in 1941 and Pete attended Glenbard High School, where he met his soul mate, Phyllis Frazier. Pete graduated from Glenbard in 1945 and a month later enlisted in the Navy, serving on the USS Dayton in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. He was accepted to Fighter Pilot training for Carrier duty, but the war effort changed and his training was cancelled. He was honorably discharged in 1946, and was awarded the Victory Metal ribbon and the Asiatic Pacific ribbon. Pete then returned to Lombard, enrolling in the University of Illinois at Navy Pier. |
Pete married Phyllis on June 17th, 1950 in Villa Park, IL and continued his classes at the U of I campus in Champaign, graduating in 1951 with his bachelor's degree in Architectural / Structural Engineering. In 1957 he completed his master's degree in Structural Engineering. His intent was to study law at UW-Madison and he'd completed all prerequisites to attend, but he went to Eau Claire for a family visit, fell in love with the Chippewa Valley, and decided to call it home. Pete moved his family to Eau Claire in 1961 and joined the architectural firm of Paul, Hallbeck, and Anderson, where he immediately began work on the design of North High School. Twenty two years later, along with his brother Joe and co-worker Gary Davis, Pete purchased the firm, renaming it Seymour Davis Seymour. In 2003, at the age of 75 and a year after his most recent award (the SooLine S Bridge spanning the Eau Claire River in downtown Eau Claire), Pete retired.
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Professionally, he was regarded as one of the best by customers and peers. His workmanship was unsurpassed, as evidenced by the many state buildings, bridges, schools, and commercial structures he designed. In just the Eau Claire / Menomonie area UW-Eau Claire Hibbard Humanities building, Allied Health building, McPhee Phy Ed building, UW-Stout Johnson Fieldhouse, Millennium Hall, Memorial Student Center, Dunn County Hospital, Luther Hospital additions, Chapel Heights church, Eau Claire Civic Center and Parking Ramp are just a fraction of the hundreds of projects that will be his legacy.
Pete was a member of the original committee that brought the Viennese Ball to life in Eau Claire. He was the President of the Rotary Club of Eau Claire, and President of the Hillcrest Golf & Country Club Board of Directors. He was also a proud member of the Eau Claire Chapter of the Society for the Prevention of the Elimination of Lutefisk Eating (SPELE). Area softball players can thank Pete and a small handful of others who convinced a very doubtful Parks & Rec Department to start a slowpitch softball league. The folks at Parks & Rec warned the group that slowpitch softball would never take off in Eau Claire. |
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To know Pete for five minutes would be to discover his exceptional intelligence, his integrity and generosity, his genuine smile, and his very quick, very dry wit. Even into his "Grandpa" years he was helping others learn, making people laugh, and hanging on to his inner child, while setting an example of how to live a value-centered life. Success and recognition were not goals. What mattered most to him was to do the right things and to do things right.
He was a life-long Cubs and Bears fan, an avid softball, golf, canoe, ski, and travel enthusiast, and he loved things of beauty - classic cars, creations by Frank Lloyd Wright, grandchildren's artwork, or Beethoven's 9th Symphony. At the end of the work day few things pleased him more than throwing on his bib overalls, being on his tractor, working on something around the house, or sitting at the kitchen table playing games and sharing laughter with his family. He was coach, band and choir parent, mentor, instigator, and number one fan to his children and grandchildren.
Pete is survived by his wife and best friend, Phyllis, his four children: Sharon Seymour; Steve (Dana) Seymour, and Laura Reali, all of Eau Claire; and Wendy (Steve) Dachel of Fountain Hills, AZ. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Elizabeth (Mark) Plemmons, Zion, IL; Dominic (Megan O'Brien) Reali, Richmond, VA; Ryan Dachel, Scottsdale, AZ; Torina Dachel, Peter Reali, Meghan Seymour, Emily Zenz, Matthew Seymour, and Kate Seymour, all of Eau Claire; and one great-grandson, Christopher Zenz, Eau Claire. Pete is further survived by his brothers Mike (Eileen) Seymour, and Joe (Ginny) Seymour, all of Eau Claire; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Pete's life will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 310 Broadway St. in Eau Claire with Rev. Dr. Mark X. Pirazzini officiating on Thursday, September 8th, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the service at 11:00. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 53. A private burial will take place at a later date. Pete would have appreciated donations to the First Congregational Church Wheels of Welcome, First Congregational Church Organ fund, or a charity of the donor's choice. Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com
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Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.
- Albert Einstein |
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Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Rd., Eau Claire, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.
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