Walter Cushman Seiler

Dr. Walter C. Seiler 7/12/1930 - 7/21/2023

Walter Cushman Seiler was born in Dallas, Texas, July 12, 1930, to Grace Smith and Clarence Seiler. Unfortunately, Clarence died shortly thereafter and Grace went to work for the railroad. Grace moved Walt and his sister Mary to the "wrong side, of the wrong side" of the tracks. Walt had many interesting stories of walking to and from school through rough parts of Dallas.

In the early '40s they loaded up a '34 Ford and drove to Cashmere, WA where Grace took a job at the railroad's district office. On the way Walt drove, Mary worked the map, and Grace rode in the back seat.

Walt's passion became baseball and later softball. He played for Wenatchee High, Wenatchee Community College, and local semi-pro summer teams. Walt graduated from Wenatchee Valley Community College in 1949, and moved to the State College of Washington (now WSU). Walt played baseball at WSC for both Buck Bailey and Bobo Brayton. During this time, he lived in Ferry Hall and helped fight an infamous campus fire that took the student union building.

Walt spent his summers working on rail crews, writing love letters to his future wife, and playing semi-pro baseball in Eastern Washington. His senior year he was invited to play in the Detroit Tiger's Farm System, but decided instead to finish school, get married, go to work and start a family. Walt graduated from WSU with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1952.

Walt married his love, Jeanette Elaine Harniet, on May 10, 1953. In short order he also reported for duty at Camp Roberts, CA. Walt was an Honor Graduate, Class No. 96, 7th Armored Division. He taught ordinance courses saying "teaching mortars was far better than teaching bayonets."

Walt and Jean moved to Leavenworth, WA in 1954, where Walt took his first job teaching American History, Math and coaching. He coached Football, Baseball (District Champs '55-56'), Skiing and Golf. Not having skied or held a golf club, he used 'how to' books to learn golf in the living room and skiing under headlights at the golf course. That same year Greg was born, and Walt adopted the first of many dogs "Cubby." A banner year for Walt and Jean. Their second son Scott was born in 1957 and first daughter Jill was born in 1959.

Walt's second teaching job took the family to Omak, WA, in 1961, where their second daughter Jan was born. A short time after, Walt became Vice Principal of McGloughlin Junior High in Pasco, WA. Over the next four years Walt was principal of Pasco's Emmerson and Edwin Markham Elementary Schools.

While in Pasco Walt attended summer school and gained his Masters of Education from Central Washington College. After work and school Walt hunted, fished, golfed, bowled, played softball, and spent outdoor time with his sons and friend Dick Green, a fellow Pasco principal. Walt and Jean spent many happy and humorous weekend hours BBQing and playing cards with Dick and his wife Vera.

Walt's love of upland bird hunting began in Pasco, on farms owned by parents of children who went to schools where Walt was Principal. This led to years of raising hunting dogs, ten in all, as well as four other house dogs. Walt was also a member of the Pasco Elks and helped organize a John Paton Memorial Trap Shoot, where he learned the details of trap shooting. Later in life Walt used this experience to help organize and schedule the Vancouver Gun Club Trap Shooting Range.

Walt, Jean, their four children and two dogs spent quite a bit of quality time in Tonasket and Havillah, WA where Jean's family lives. Many days were spent in the mountains, lakes, forests and farmlands of this beautiful area near the Canadian Border. Humorous hunting and fishing stories of "Uncle Cush" are recorded in poems and drawings made by Uncles' Leonard and Melvin.

In 1967, the Dean of Education at WSU recruited Walt back to Pullman to earn his Doctorate of Education. This took many hours of hard work over 18 months, while his young family enjoyed free 'student' access to the WSU campus. The winter of 1968 had record snow and freezing temps. A favorite memory of this time is Walt being ski-pulled by motorcycle across a snowy WSU football practice field.

In 1968, Doctor Walter C. Seiler accepted the Assistant Superintendency of the West Valley School District, tucked into the orchards of Yakima WA. He was soon appointed Superintendent and stayed for several years. Walt told friends the Doctor of Education title helped him could cure "warts, carbuncles, and smart people." West Valley commonly suffered funding issues and an associated teacher's strike created difficult operations. Through it all, with the help of many dedicated people, they managed to keep the district afloat and get a critical new middle school built.

Walt and crew learned the ins and outs of boating the rivers, lakes, and inland seas of the Northwest. In all Walt owned ten boats, starting with ski boats. An annual tradition of two week boat trips to the San Juan and Gulf Islands was also born. This led to bigger boats, including a cabin cruiser and a sail boat. Walt eventually downsized to fishing boats, as his 'crew' moved on and his first mate Jean was not happy to 'prepare to come about' or 'haul lines'.

In 1976 Walt became Superintendent of the Stevenson / Carson School District, tucked into the National Forest and quite well funded from shared federal timber sales. The irony of moving from an economically challenged district to one of the most well-funded was not lost on Walt. Once established, he turned his attention to passing House Bill No. 868 through the State Legislature, distributing Federal Forest funds across all state school districts. Through these efforts Walt met and befriended many politicians and influential people. At the signing reception Walt was seen dancing with the previous Governor, Dixy Lee Ray.

Walt and Jean retired to Vancouver, WA in 1982. He continued to hunt, shoot, boat, fish, golf, bowl, and as always play softball. He was a Charter Member of the Vancouvers Men's Seniors Slow Pitch Softball Association and helped in efforts to construct Sunlight Supply Field at Pacific Community Park. In June of 2017, Walt proudly threw out the first pitch at this new complex.

Walt and Jean also played in a couple's golf league, which took them on great adventures to golf courses in the Columbia Gorge and beyond. Walt also continued to bowl in a weekly league until Covid interrupted.

Walt loved to deal the cards, barter, and bargain for the sake of fun and humorous competition. Seems there was always a small bet on the next hand or game. He saw the world as it is and was well versed in the subtle workings of it. He gave his advice freely and always worked to improve things. Overall, Walt was respected for his ability to solve problems and gracefully gain positive results.

Sadly, Jean passed in 2017. Walt stayed on in their home until his quiet passing on July 21, 2023, just a few days after celebrating his 93rd birthday. He will be missed as a husband, father, coach, colleague, teammate and friend to many. His ashes will be placed next to Jean's in the Havillah Cemetery. Memories of Walt and Jean will live on with their children - Greg (Shannon), Scott (Gloria), Jill (Eugene), and Jan; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; extended family, friends, and Sven the 14th dog.

PS: Walt requested this 'long form' obit. He was humble and did not care for the spotlight. He was also proud of his accomplishments and thought "since I won't be there, the attention might be acceptable".

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