Richard Harley Seward ~ In a Few Words
May 26, 2021
Richard Harley Seward was born in Mason City, IA, to Kenneth and Jane Seward. He had a younger brother, John, two years his junior, who sadly passed away from cancer in 1993. One of Richard’s fondest memories was being able to attend with both his brother and father the 1986 Rose Bowl featuring the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. the UCLA Bruins. Unfortunately, an Iowa victory was not in the cards that year.
Kenneth worked as an auto body mechanic, and Richard enjoyed learning about automotive repair alongside his father. In their youth, John and Richard were extremely close and enlisted together to join the conflict in Vietnam, John with the U.S. Air Force and Richard with the U.S. Army, where he reached the rank of Artillery Sergeant before ending his service and returning home.
On January 11, 1969, Richard joined in holy matrimony the love of his life, Marilyn (née Austin). They would move to San Diego, CA, eventually settling into their forever home in Santee, a San Diego suburb.
Richard attended San Diego State University where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music. His focus was on voice and for a short time, he sang as part of the chorus with the San Diego Opera. While he entertained aspirations of becoming a professional, touring opera singer, he wanted to be a father very much more. So, when his son, Richard Kendon (not a junior!) was born, he couldn’t conceive of being away from his family as would be demanded by his participation in the opera world, and he sacrificed that dream to devote himself to his dream of fatherhood (he would, however, continue to sing as part of church choirs for the next four decades).
In 1978, Richard and Marilyn welcomed their second child, Jamie Janette, and their family was complete.
Richard’s world revolved around his wife and children. He worked hard to make sure his beloved family was wanting for none of the necessities of life. Even in the end, his family was foremost in his mind.
Richard was a quiet man. He could appear distant, but he was always taking in the events around him. Though first impressions of him might have revealed a profoundly serious, driven individual, he was also a classic gentleman, full of dry humor, playful mischief, and always caring and compassionate.
In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and being with her in the kitchen cooking whatever recipes caught their fancy.
In the end, he was taken far too soon, but his memory will live on with those lucky enough to find themselves within his sphere of influence. Richard didn’t really have close friends. He had a family, immediate and extended, made up of individuals who he welcomed into his life and who benefitted from his fierce loyalty.
Richard left this life as he entered it – loved beyond words; his will be a memory that never fades.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marilyn (with whom he shared nearly 52 years of marriage); son and daughter-in-law – Rich and Charlotte; daughter and son-in-law – Jamie and Chris Queen; Aunt Nancy Price; Uncle Bill and Aunt Ann Rapelje; sister-in-law Pam Seward; Victoria Seward (niece); T.J. and Brian Seward (nephews); Ciara Seward (great-niece). He is preceded in death by Kenneth and Jane (mother and father) and John (brother).
Kenneth worked as an auto body mechanic, and Richard enjoyed learning about automotive repair alongside his father. In their youth, John and Richard were extremely close and enlisted together to join the conflict in Vietnam, John with the U.S. Air Force and Richard with the U.S. Army, where he reached the rank of Artillery Sergeant before ending his service and returning home.
On January 11, 1969, Richard joined in holy matrimony the love of his life, Marilyn (née Austin). They would move to San Diego, CA, eventually settling into their forever home in Santee, a San Diego suburb.
Richard attended San Diego State University where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music. His focus was on voice and for a short time, he sang as part of the chorus with the San Diego Opera. While he entertained aspirations of becoming a professional, touring opera singer, he wanted to be a father very much more. So, when his son, Richard Kendon (not a junior!) was born, he couldn’t conceive of being away from his family as would be demanded by his participation in the opera world, and he sacrificed that dream to devote himself to his dream of fatherhood (he would, however, continue to sing as part of church choirs for the next four decades).
In 1978, Richard and Marilyn welcomed their second child, Jamie Janette, and their family was complete.
Richard’s world revolved around his wife and children. He worked hard to make sure his beloved family was wanting for none of the necessities of life. Even in the end, his family was foremost in his mind.
Richard was a quiet man. He could appear distant, but he was always taking in the events around him. Though first impressions of him might have revealed a profoundly serious, driven individual, he was also a classic gentleman, full of dry humor, playful mischief, and always caring and compassionate.
In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and being with her in the kitchen cooking whatever recipes caught their fancy.
In the end, he was taken far too soon, but his memory will live on with those lucky enough to find themselves within his sphere of influence. Richard didn’t really have close friends. He had a family, immediate and extended, made up of individuals who he welcomed into his life and who benefitted from his fierce loyalty.
Richard left this life as he entered it – loved beyond words; his will be a memory that never fades.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marilyn (with whom he shared nearly 52 years of marriage); son and daughter-in-law – Rich and Charlotte; daughter and son-in-law – Jamie and Chris Queen; Aunt Nancy Price; Uncle Bill and Aunt Ann Rapelje; sister-in-law Pam Seward; Victoria Seward (niece); T.J. and Brian Seward (nephews); Ciara Seward (great-niece). He is preceded in death by Kenneth and Jane (mother and father) and John (brother).