Howard L. Seemann

Still thinking of you and everything you taught me, Howard. My years at HSU wouldn't have been the same without you. May God's light shine upon you and your family always.

I was saddened today to learn from a friend, also a U of Minn. J-School grad and Minnesota Daily alum, of Howie's death. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.

[Editor: This is my offering if you wish to use]

Caution, cliques ahead. HSU Journalism department has lost a legend—a principled teacher, kind mentor and gracious leader in the field of First Amendment rights.

Though never a strong enough writer to work in the journalism field, what I learned in his classes I use in the rest of my life: whether writing simple book reviews or creating a library program flyers, I draw upon his many journalism lessons: accuracy, clean copy and...

I feel so sad today, having just learned of Howard's passing. I can't believe it's been more than 24 years since I graduated from Humboldt, left behind Howard, the Lumberjack, and so many great memories. Like many of you who have written in this guest book, Howard left a lasting impression on me as well. I teach a writing course to coworkers and carry so much of his lessons with me. "That" truly is a four-letter word. And I have FINALLY taught folks here the difference between half-staff and...

I haven't seen Howard for years. I married, moved away, and last saw him in 1995. Oddly enough, I mentioned him to my current boss just the other day. My boss flips out when he has to write a difficult letter, so he turns to me for editing and "word-smithing". When he asked me how I learned to be so good at editing, I had one answer: Howard. I wear my class ring from HSU, the one with the Journalism scroll on the side, with pride in my love of writing because of...Howard. I may not be...

my dearest big brother, i will miss you and love you dearly, gaye

Howard was, to me, both the original and the last of the ink-stained wretches. He smoked. He drank. He cussed. He wasn’t afraid to get into a little trouble.

On a trip to a California Newspaper Publishers Association meeting in Stockton, he taught me the art of the very dry martini. Unpacking in his hotel room, the first thing he whipped out was a traveling wet bar, complete with shaker.

“You open the vermouth and wave it over the top of the glass a few times,” he said....

Howard recruited me onto the Lumberjack staff as ad manager, and then talked me into taking his class. So it's really his fault that I've been in this field for 30 years. How many times have I worked on a story and wondered how Howard might have approached it? Too often to count. He was my first journalism teacher, and he left a deep impression.

Besides being a wonderful teacher, Howard was a true ethicist. It's sad that so many journalists now are under fire for ethics...

Howard and I were friends since we were puppies. He was a fun person and everyone liked him. There are many wonderful adjectives to describe him, but I remember his humor and wit. He will be missed and remembered.