Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Professor Robert A. Seidel Sr., 78, of Gettysburg, formerly of Emmitsburg, Md., died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009. He was the husband of M. Ruth (Kaas) Seidel for 56 years.

Born in Altoona on Aug. 28, 1930, Bob was the son of the late Joseph P. Sr. and Helen E. (Wagner) Seidel.

He was a graduate of Altoona Catholic High School and Mount Saint Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., and he received his master of business administration from The American University. He was a Certified Public Accountant since 1972. Professor Emeritus Seidel taught undergraduate and graduate accounting, business and economics at Mount Saint Mary’s College for 39 years.

VFW Post 6658 and a member of the American Legion Post 121 in Emmitsburg, Md.

A loyal member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, Md., he received the Archdiocese of Baltimore Medal of Honor and was an honorary member of the Vincentian Community. He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and a long standing president and member of the Parish Council. He served as Mayor of Emmitsburg, Md. for one term from 1968 to 1970.

He is survived by his wife, their 10 children, Judy Dick and husband Rick of Colorado Springs, Colo., Linda Adelsberger and husband Ken of Biglerville, Barbara Gscheidle of Parrish, Fla., Robert Seidel Jr. and wife Sandy of Gettysburg, Edward Seidel of Menononee Falls, Wis., Richard Seidel of Frederick, Md., Mary Bradford and husband Tom of Dillwyn, Va., Theresa Wyatt and husband Ed of Olney, Md., Carol Seipler and husband Jim of Chewsville, Md., Francis Seidel and wife Nicole of Gettysburg; his grandchildren, Robert Dick Jr. and wife Sharon, Donald Dick and wife Terri, Keith Adelsberger and wife Carrie, Nathan and Justin Adelsberger, Michael Matthews and wife Kendra, Susan Gscheidle, Stephen, Emily, Colleen, Allison, Isaac, and Juliet Seidel, Christina and Daniel Bradford, Ryan Wyatt, Jessica and Ciara Seipler and Veronika Muench Seidel; great-grandchildren, Scott Dick and wife Sasha and Sam Dick, Joe Randal, Jessica and Tony Lasco, Kurstin Ware; and great-great-grandchildren, Annaliese and Tessalynn Dick and Talon Randal. He is also survived by a brother, Gerald Seidel and a sister, Miriam Stitt of Altoona, and a sister, Jane Cummings and husband Tom of Willoughby, Ohio, and a sister-in-law, Lorraine Seidel-Sherman of Peninsula, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was also preceded in death by his grandsons, Bobby Adelsberger and 1Lt. Robert Seidel III; and his sisters, Rosemary, Helen, Margaret, Beatrice, Teresa (his twin sister, who died at birth), and Joanne; and brothers, Joseph, John, and Frank.

 He will be missed by family and friends.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 100 N. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, Md., with Father Stephen Trzecieski C.M. as celebrant. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s New Cemetery in Emmitsburg, Md.