Roy Sewall

1945 - 2023

SEWALL

ROY SEWALL

Roy Sewall passed away peacefully in Bethesda, MD on January 17, 2023 surrounded by his family. He had an extraordinary life and left behind family, friends and colleagues who loved him dearly. He will be deeply missed.



Roy was born in Boston in 1945. As a child, he lived with his State Department parents abroad in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. He received a B.S. in Physics from Case Institute of Technology (1967) and an M.S. in Engineering Science from Penn State (1969). From 1967 to 2000, Roy's career was engineering and business development in aerospace, defense, communications, and transportation.



In 1979, Roy married the love of his life, Ase Wijsmuller. They had two joyful children, and as a family travelled extensively within the US and abroad. He loved playing and coaching sports, as well as hiking, camping, sailing, the great outdoors, and photography. He became a professional photographer in 2001, focusing on the Potomac River and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. His goal was to preserve and share its beauty, serenity, and seasonal changes.



He published his first book, Our Potomac, in 2005, which depicts the remarkable transformation of the river from raging falls to the idyllic scenes of our Nation's capitol. The book led to numerous lectures and engagements with local organizations. His second book, Great Falls and Mather Gorge was published in 2009. Roy is undeniably one of the preeminent photographers of the Potomac River and C&O Canal.



In 2012, Roy diversified his photography which can best be appreciated through his website (roysewallphotography.com). He touched the lives of so many in the photography community and became a highly respected judge for photographic competitions, using the opportunities to educate.



Music was another central point of Roy's life. For more than three decades, he played in a series of bands. His commitment to quality was always on display at the numerous local clubs and private ceremonies they played at. Music was more than just 'fun' for Roy, and far more than performing. It was another way to connect human-to-human, and it was always based on love.



Roy was very active in the community. He was the first Chair of the Board of Directors of the C&O Canal Trust (2007-2010) and was on the Board of Directors for the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. Roy was President of the North Bethesda Camera Club from 2016-2017, and donated hundreds of images of The 16th Street Project to the DC History Center.



But his greatest gift was being a fun, loving and supportive husband and father. His son and daughter always considered him to be an exceptional dad who was the perfect combination of mentor, role model, coach, moral compass, rock star and friend. This sentiment has been expressed by many of their friends as well.



Along with his wife Ase Sewall, Roy is survived by his two children Christopher Sewall (Julia) and Laura Benson (Davis) and three grandchildren Lucas, Dash and newly born Nova, whose middle name is Royse in honor of her grandfather.



There will be a Celebration of Life planned for April.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Red Cross or C&O Canal Trust.