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Walter Olof Seaborg Jr.

1931 - 2024

Walter Olof Seaborg Jr. obituary, 1931-2024, Middleton, WI

BORN

1931

DIED

2024

Walter Seaborg Obituary

Walter Olof Seaborg, Jr.

January 15, 1931 - October 20, 2024

Walter Olof Seaborg, Jr. died peacefully on Sunday, October 20, 2024, wearing his Cubs hat and listening to Frank Sinatra, after a wonderful goodbye with family and close friends. Ninety-three years into a full and grateful life, Walt's big Swedish heart was overwhelmed by a short bout with septic shock and multiple organ failure.

Walt was born on January 15, 1931, to Walter Olof Seaborg and Albertina Sophia (Haas) Seaborg. He grew up in a Swedish neighborhood on the north side of Chicago and loved his childhood there. Walt and his younger brother and best friend, Don, rode their bikes together, built model airplanes, played endless games of baseball, and went to Wrigley Field every chance they got.

A talented athlete, Walt pitched for Iowa State his freshman year of college, but transferred to Milton College in Wisconsin when his draft notice put him on the fast track to Korea. To his surprise, he received several deferments and joined the army immediately after he graduated, completing Basic Training several weeks after the armistice was signed.

Upon receiving an Honorable Discharge, Walt pursued an MA in Journalism at UW-Madison on the GI Bill. In grad school, Walt met the love of his life, Julia Thompson Allis ("Julie"), who became his wife of more than five decades after a long-distance courtship. Together, they raised their son, Andrew, at their house in the country just outside Oregon, Wisconsin. Walt loved to organize family bike rides, grill out, coached little league for more than a decade, and built and flew radio control model sailplanes. Walt also became an internationally renowned tour guide, delighting in entertaining all of Andrew's friends from Japan who came to visit him in Wisconsin.

Walt spent almost his entire career working in rural electrification. Starting as a cub reporter covering stories about utilities, he transitioned into public relations work and then management. As General Manager of the Wisconsin Electrical Cooperative Association, Walt traveled to Washington, DC regularly to lobby Congress and the White House. He met six US presidents and worked closely with congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle. It was often a "Mad Men" existence. Three martini lunches were not uncommon. As were dinners where US Senators like Bill Proxmire and Bob Dole, who didn't agree on much politically, came together to hammer out details on bills to support rural electrification. But the pace of flying and DC wore him out. Walt retired early to read voraciously, hike with his beloved Airedales, and take care of his mom, Grandma Bert, who lived with Walt and Julie for 15 years.

Walt is survived by his wife, Julie, son Andrew, daughter-in-law Kristin, and grandchildren Alexander, William, and Kallista. He was predeceased in death by his parents and younger brother, Albert Donald Seaborg.

A memorial service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Verona on Tuesday, October 29. Visitation is at 10:00 a.m. with service to follow at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Seaborg Family Fund at the Oregon Public Library in Oregon, Wisconsin or the Academy of Model Aeronautics in Muncie, Indiana.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Madison.com from Oct. 24 to Oct. 27, 2024.

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Larry and Shirley Gilbert

October 28, 2024

Larry and Shirley Gilbert send you and your family our love and sympathy. We always enjoyed crossing paths with you all during our time in Oregon. You guys always had a warm and friendly hello. We enjoyed reading about Walter's history and Larry especially recalls his many deliveries via UPS. Sorry we will miss his memorial services where we could offer a big hug but we are out of state just now. Also, a special hello to Andrew and, of course his family.

Ann & Phil Dettwiler

October 24, 2024

We extend our sincere condolences to the family, most especially through our connection to Andrew. Celebrate the legacy he left.

Dave Hall and Margie Devereaux

October 24, 2024

A full life indeed! Reading about him and knowing him through his son, we feel grateful for all he did to make the world a better place.

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Memorial Events
for Walter Seaborg

Oct

29

Visitation

10:00 a.m.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Verona, WI

Oct

29

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Verona, WI

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