Bob Seyfried

LT COL. Robert (Bob) E. Seyfried passed away on November 21, 2024.
Bob was born on Dec.18,1932 in Englewood, NJ. He lived in Somerville, NJ until 1944 when his family moved to Oak Ridge, TN for his father to work on the Manhattan Project. He graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1950 where he was a member of the Football, Basketball, and Track teams. After high school he attended the University of Tennessee where he earned varsity letters in both track and swimming before graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. During high school and college, he worked as a lifeguard at the Oak Ridge Pool and was known for entertaining as a clown diver for big events. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Army with a commission as a second lieutenant after completion of his Basic Officer Course and was sent off on his first Initial Tour of Duty. During his extended military career, he completed the Basic and Advanced Infantry Officer Courses, airborne school, U.S. Army Command, General Staff College and Industrial College of Armed Forces. His service time encompassed the Korean, Vietnam and Cold War Era, retiring after 30 years of Active and Reserved Services. He returned to Oak Ridge after his active-duty service in 1958 where he was employed by Union Carbide and Martin Marietta. First as a Technical Illustrator and later in the Human Resource Division and then in the Radiation Protection Upgrades Program. Upon Retirement, he remained in Oak Ridge until his death.
During his lifetime he enjoyed a wide variety of sports participating on many plant and civic league championship teams. He performed sky diving exhibitions/shows for many years after returning to Oak Ridge from his active military service. His illustrations and caricatures were a common feature in the company and civic environments of the Oak Ridge area for
years. After his retirement he expanded his art and woodworking interests from a hobby to a small business producing a range of handmade wooden toys. As one would expect of a 2-sport letterman he remained an avid UT fan through decades of Big Orange glory. He always enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, particularly weekly luncheons with his old friends Jim, Tony, Dan, Gary, Charlie, Art and Bill at the Romeo Club (Retired Old Men Eating Out) every Friday.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Max and Ruth Seyfried, sister Maxine Connor, stepsons Tommy Fortner and Steve Irving, step grand- daughter Samantha Cooper.
He is survived by his loving wife, June Seyfried, sisters Linda Haffey (John), Brenda Griffith (Scotty), children Scott Seyfried, Dr. Michael Seyfried (Lori), Michelle Street (Mike), Tina Anderson (Johnnie), Donald Fortner. Grandchildren include Eli Street (Kim), Jay Seyfried (Jackie), Carrie Brown (Jonathan), Kelsey McFadden (Jason), Drew Seyfried (Kelsey), Cole Seyfried (Megan), Carly Seyfried, James Fortner, Kari Alford (Robbie), Nicole Taylor (Dusty), Adam Irving and Kelly Irving, along with 34 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandchild.
The family will receive friends On Monday, November 25, 2024. at Weatherford Mortuary from 11:30 till 1:00 pm with service to follow. Interment will follow immediately after at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. L.T COL. Robert Seyfried will be buried with full Military Honors at the Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens in the Valor Garden
In lieu of flowers, please donate to East Tennessee Children's Hospital.