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Heinz Seltmann Obituary
Raleigh
Dr. Heinz Seltmann, 91, passed away on May 31, 2016 at Rex Hospital after a brief illness. He was born on September 8, 1924 in Frankfurt Germany to Max and Klara Chantre Seltmann. Heinz graduated from Drew University in 1949, where he was inspired to study botany by Dr. Robert K. Zuck. He went on to receive his PhD in Botany from the University of Chicago where he studied with Dr. George K. K. Link.
Heinz served honorably in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and retired from the United States Department of Agriculture as a plant physiologist after 40 years of employment. He joined the Department of Botany faculty at North Carolina State University in 1956 and retired in 1994. He met and married Nancy Moody in Raleigh and together they raised their two children. His wife preceded him in death in 1995. After retirement, Heinz enjoyed many years of gardening, traveling, trains, and spending time with his longtime friend Nancy Valsamis of Brooklyn, New York.
He is lovingly remembered by his son: Heinz Seltmann, Jr. and wife Lara, of Raleigh; his grandchildren: Ehron and Killi-An Seltmann; daughter Katja Seltmann and husband Yon Visell, of Santa Barbara, CA; and many other friends and family.
Family and friends are invited to gather together and remember Heinz on Sunday, June 5th from 2-4 pm in the Wynne Center of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home (300 St. Mary's Street in downtown Raleigh). Military Honors will be conducted at a graveside service on Monday, June 6th at 10 am at Oakwood Cemetery (701 Oakwood Avenue in Raleigh).
Condolences to the family at www.MitchellatRMP.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Heinz Seltmann
Sponsored by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory.
David Danehower
June 21, 2016
Heinz was always a gentleman and a scholar. He treated everyone he met with respect, regardless of their station in life. His zeal for life was infectious and the thing I will always remember most about him. My sincere condolences to his loved ones.
June 5, 2016
Heinz became a close friend of my former husband, Jim Troyer, a plant physiologist at NCSU, when we arrived in Raleigh in 1957. Our three daughters also remember him fondly. Elsie Eads
Leon Substelny
June 4, 2016
Heinz was always a welcome visitor at our railroad club. His sense of humor was an endearing quality of his character.
Arnold Hamm
June 3, 2016
Heinz advised me on some issues when he was at USDA. I always had great respect for his intellect and his approach problems with straightforward determination. The icing on the cake in knowing Heinz was his kindness and his gentlemanly demeanor.
Ramsey Lewis
June 3, 2016
I will remember Dr. Seltmann for his kindness to me when I was a graduate student and young faculty member. Heinz was incredibly young for his age and seemed to have boundless energy; something enjoyable to see for a younger person.
Carla Osborne
June 3, 2016
It wasn't until reading his obituary that I realized what an accomplished man Dr. Seltmann was. I met him a couple of years ago when I was walking my dog and he was working in his yard. He called out to me, asking me about my dog's breed and the next thing I knew we'd been chatting for about an hour. Our casual chats took place at the end of his driveway when I happened to be passing by with my pup. During those conversations he shared snippets of his interesting life. He bragged about his family, told of his service in World War II and of reconnecting with his Brooklyn friend all with a twinkle in his eye. I asked him once if anyone had recorded his stories and he shrugged saying that no one would be interested. That struck me as being very humble, a trademark of the WWII generation.
Dr. Seltmann's sweet smile, friendly waves and interesting stories will be missed. I send my deepest condolences to his family.
Chuck Johnson
June 3, 2016
Dr. Seltmann was a member of my graduate advisory committee at N.C. State in 1980 & 1981, and was a gracious and kind advisor. Since that time, he always treated me as a friend. I am thankful for his support and encouragement, and wish his family and friends peace and joy in their memories of him in this sad time.
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Memorial Events
for Heinz Seltmann
Jun
5
Visitation
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC 27605
Funeral services provided by:
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC 27605
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