Jack Arthur Seilheimer
November 12, 1935 ~ October 26, 2014
Resided in:
Pueblo West, CO
Jack Arthur Seilheimer, age 78, peacefully passed on his journey on October 26, 2014. He is survived by his high school sweetheart, Donna Rae, whom he married in December, 1954 and his children, Joni (Alan) Ayler, Kurt Seilheimer, Kirsten (Gary) Schorg, Karla Seilheimer- (Steve) Sanchez and Giau Kim Tra. Jack was Opa to Shannon (Bill) Holbrook, Travis Seilheimer, Zachary Thompson (Sierra Smelker), Sage Ayler (Justin Parker), Taryn Seilheimer (Nick Pickerel), Gabrielle Schorg (Jeremy Smith), Cameron Schorg, Chase Seilheimer, Lydia Sanchez; great-grandchildren, Mariah, Jayce, Brody, and Reese; brother, Robert (Betsy) Seilheimer; and sister, Jayne (Greg) Ramon. He was also host father to many foreign exchange students.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Helen Seilheimer and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Jack was born on November 12, 1935, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Arthur and Helen Seilheimer.
The devotion and real passions for Jack were his family, teaching, fishing and sports and he was tirelessly dedicated to the pursuit of peace and the stewardship of the earth. He was a continual learner and loved to live each day to its fullest.
Jack received his B.S. in Biology at Western Michigan University in 1960 and in 1963, a Ph.D. in Limnology at the University of Louisville. During his 50 year career at Colorado State University-Pueblo, he enjoyed many positions, including Professor, Department Chair, and Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. Over 10, 000 students benefitted from his leadership at the university. He served as Director of the Natural Science Field School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Camp Pueblo U.S. Youth Conservation Corps, and the Outdoor Program at the University of Southern Colorado. He was the District Director of Western Region Beta Beta Beta National Undergraduate Biological Honor Society. He served as Executive Director and co-founder of the Pueblo Greenway and Nature Center. He was also the Co-director for the Center for the Advancement of Teaching Science, Mathematics and Technology, Co-coordinator of USC/District 60 Alliance Science Curriculum Linkage. Jack was the co-founder of Pueblo Suicide Prevention and the Pueblo Chapter of the Audubon Society. He was an ordained Elder in the Community of Christ church.
Jack was a consultant for and served on many university committees and community service organizations. He was a member of the Pueblo West Rotary Club. He was a longtime supporter of CSU-Pueblo Athletics, lifetime member of Friends of Football and Akela Club. He supported a Second Violin Chair and concerts with the Pueblo Symphony.
During his rich and rewarding life, Jack received many honors and awards and he was at his happiest serving others.
Cremation, Montgomery and Steward Crematorium.
Celebration of Life November 16, 2014, 1 p.m. at CSU-Pueblo Occhiato Center with David M. Carlock, Elder, Community of Christ, officiating.
Contributions may be made to Doc Seilheimer Family Scholarship for Biology Academic/Athlete, CSU-Pueblo Foundation, 2100 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo, CO 81001
Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
The family wants to extend thanks to Dr. Michael Rendler and the staff of Sangre de Cristo Hospice.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, especially during these difficult times, as you grieve the passing of Jack.
May the Holy Spirit minister to your individual and collective hearts’� our temporary loss of Jack is truly Heaven’s eternal gain.
Praise God that we will share eternity with Jack, in the presence of, service to, and fellowship with Our Lord.
In abiding love,
Jeff (and Michele) Yarberry
A true icon will be missed by all.
Dear Donna and Family,
No words can express the loss of such an icon as Jack—he was a professor to me many years ago, as well as a mentor and colleague. You always knew where you stood with Jack and that is a rare quality in these times. I appreciated his advice and help—he and a few others built the Biology department at CSU-P and I have great respect for him. My family sends their love and condolences to you at this sad time…….
Dear Donna and Family,
Our hearts are heavy because of the loss of our friend, Jack. We have fond memories of him in both church and college activities. He was a big help to Yvonne when she was studying at the college many years ago. His faith in God and his love for people and for the environment endeared him to many. Our prayers are with you.
I WISH TO EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY… I had the privilege of working with Jack through District 60 and at the University. I appreciate the times of help and support he offered.
We have no words to express to you our sadness at the loss of Jack, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend as well as mentor to all past and present. The world is a lesser place without him. But we know he is with God, the angels and his family and we know even Heaven is improved by his presence there. We know you too are sure of this and yet this knowledge cannot diminish his loss and your grief. With abidding respect.
Dear Donna and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Knowing Jack as I did, I think that he would not want us to feel sorry for him but to honor him by living as full a life as we can. I remember the first time I had Jack in a biology class. Here was this big, gruff-looking bear of a man. Very intimidating at first, until you realized that he had such a large, loving heart. Jack was like a second father to me – he came into my life when I was 22 yrs old and had just lost my father to cancer – it was what I needed. I had the wonderful experience to know Jack for many years and in different situations – from EST to USC Biology Club and student government to my years with Jack in YCC at Pueblo. Of all my life experiences, those years in YCC still remain my most fulfilling and rewarding. Rest in peace, my friend. Until we meet again.
Jack was one of a kind and will be remembered for his many contributions to society. He was a stellar professional and kind person. Rest in peace my friend! Dr. Ron Meek, Retired, Las Vegas, NV. Pueblo Community College Past President
A true gem of humanity. Peace be with you.
Condolences to the many friends and family of Jack on behalf of Pueblo Rotary 43. We have lost a great friend and mentor.
Jack was a great friend and fellow teacher. We enjoyed two fishing trips to Manitoba Canada with Ed Reinier and Stan Childers in 1989 and 1990, they were the two best vacations of my life. He could instruct me on every kind of weed and algae bloom that would catch my fishing lure. God speed my friend.
Harvey Wall, professor of environmental science, Goodwin College, East Hartford, CT
Dr. Jack Seilheimer was a great friend and a mentor for me during my 26 years at CSU-Pueblo. I alway enjoyed talking to him and getting his opinion on various things. He was kind, funny, and firm. He did so much for the university and the sports. He really enjoyed pointing out his student basketball players and saying “his dad/mom was my student too”. I will miss you alot, Jack !!
Huseyin Sarper
Dear Donna and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have great memories of Dr. Jack which I will hold close, thank you Jack for being the strong spirit you are, you will be missed but not forgotten. Pueblo, Is a better place because of your time spent here, Peace in all your relations, until we meet again with a heavy heart, Jim Trujillo.
I was in Dr. Seilheimer’s first Biology class at Southern Colorado State College (back then) and like so many others, he was my favorite Prof. He engaged students, he seemed to be able to take each one under his wing and mentor them besides teach them. Everyone liked Jack, he was such a character, very friendly and a great sense of humor! I remember going on his many field trips, everyone wanted to walk with him and benefit from his knowledge, his humor, and take in all of Jack that they could! Prayers to all of Jack’s immediate and extended family, he was one of a kind!
Dr. Warren L. Pickerel
I cannot say enough kind words about the impact that Jack Seilheimer had on me and my family – from hiring me, and taking me in when my housing plans fell through, to helping me balance family and work. Jack also supported me, among other things, in my interdisciplinary involvement with the Women’s Studies Program, and during my Fulbright Fellowship to West Africa. His support made these things possibilities rather than mere dreams. Jack did many great things during his lifetime, and his legacy will live on in the friends, colleagues, and students whose lives he touched. He is gone too soon, and we will miss him dearly. With much love, Lee Anne Marti�nez & family
My most heartfelt condolences to family and friends of Jack Seilheimer.
Jack was my mentor and colleague, and was key in helping me to get where I am today. I am forever grateful to Jack for the wonderful example he set as an academic, teacher, herpetologist, and gentle and persistent agitator for the environment and for the people of Pueblo. I came to know Jack through the Sierra Club Sangre de Cristo Group and will not forget his enthusiasm and passion and dogged determination.
Jack, thanks for everything! You will be missed!
Dear Donna & family. We were sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. We were fortunate to be teammates with Jack on our teachers league bowling team for several years & consider our association with him to be some of our most enjoyable times. We considered Jack to be one of the most inspirational people we have had the pleasure of knowing. We will miss him greatly but, just to have known him we consider it to have been a privilege. Heaven welcomes our “APOTHEOSIS” team mate.
Dear family, I am very sad to hear of Jack\’s passing. He was my biology teacher many years ago. He had a tremendous impact on my life and helped me to pursue my science teaching career. He was a gentle, caring and understanding man and he will certainly be missed. My deepest condolences to his family.