Yesterday we went down to Salt Lake for my Uncle Dick's funeral. He's actually my Great-Uncle, but growing up, him and his wife were more like another set of grandparents. The funeral was very entertaining, with a lot of laughter. Uncle Dick will certainly be missed! Here is his obituary:
Richard Chipman Seastrand 1927 ~ 2010 Dick Seastrand passed away on June, 25, 2010.He was born in American Fork, Utah, one of six boys and four girls, on March 6, 1927 to Myrtle and Ernest Seastrand. He attended Harrington Elementary and American Fork High. He left high school to serve in the Navy, during World War II, as a Navy and Marine medical Corpsman and later, as a member of the Naval Reserve was recalled to serve during the Korean Conflict and awarded a Navy Commendation. He was proud of the years serving his country and kept alive many friendships with Navy buddies, school friends and proudly raised the colors and the Navy flag. Married Gay Moesser, September 25, 1954 of Granger, Utah. They lived in Granger, now West Valley, where they raised two sons Rick, wife Bonnie, Brett, wife Carol and was the proud grandparent of six delightful grandchildren; Sarah and Jesse, Jay, Maggie, Caitlin and his littlest tiger, Aaron. He encouraged them to work hard, to get an education and try to be the best in whatever they choose to do. He always said he was lucky to be married to the sweetest and prettiest girl on the block, Gay, his wife of 50 plus years, who was his greatest, most patient supporter and companion. He enjoyed time with his family, which was often the high light of his day. After early Navy service, then over a span of ten years, he worked at a number of jobs and additional Naval duties, attended the LDS Business College, where he met his wife, graduated from Brigham Young University, and participated in advanced studies at Stanford University. He began work in the Investment division at the First Security Bank and after 34 years retired as a Senior Vice President. He loved his staff members and was proud to have worked with most all of the founders of the First Security Corporation. His responsibilities placed him in touch with many Public treasurers, including City, County and State. He was a member of the three-man State Board of Bonding Commissioners with Governor Scott Matheson, treasurers Lynn Baker and later Ed Alter, for a period of six years and assisted the Utah State Retirement staff and other correspondent bankers, in securities and money management. Representing the Utah Bankers Association, he was involved with the Utah State Money Management Board and assisted in drafting the Money Management Act, as it presently exists. Was involved in the development of the National D.T.C. clearing system presently used in the securities industry and a member of the Utah Bankers and the Idaho Bankers Association, the National Municipal Securities Rule Making Board, Western Region Depositary Board, American Bankers Association, Dealer Bank Association and a member of the American Legion Post No. 71. He was skilled in public financing and his investment knowledge was frequently called on during his 34 years of service, which included teaching banking and investment concepts. He was listed in the 1985 edition of Who's Who in the West. During his life he was active in sports, including high school championship basketball and football. He was a member of his boot camp champion basketball team, the 12th Naval District baseball championship team and a member of the 1951 BYU baseball team. He played and coached baseball in the Utah Central, the Industrial League, American Legion and played basketball in church sponsored M Men basketball programs. His association with the players was an important part of his life. He bred and raised horses and felt nothing was prettier than a new healthy colt taking his first steps. He was a board member of the Utah Horse Racing Association. He was active in the LDS church as an elder and teacher. His ancestors, both fraternal and maternal, were of LDS pioneer stock and among the first settlers in American Fork. Edward Robinson, his great-great grandfather was the first train conductor in the world. William S. Robinson, Henry Chipman and Arza Adams were also his great grandfathers. He enjoyed his grandkids and spent quality time with them. He enjoyed creating stories and story props, his creations, which included, poopcycles, three legged chickens, a peg legged pig and dozens of other fun things. He enjoyed good humor, getting a smile from them around him and being around others that did. Other hobbies he enjoyed, were hunting, camping, bowling and golfing with his sons, family and friends. He never missed a deer hunt, until his military service and health restricted it. After retirement he wrote numerous articles of his life and other families adventures, all contained within a Seastrand Families of Selected Story's. While in the service, wrote a newspaper column of Navy life. His mother, father, three brothers, three sisters, Ernest, Eugene, James, Selma, Genevee and Lillian preceded him in death. Survived by one sister, Vivian Evans, Tremonton; two brothers, Gareth, Dorothy Stice, Orem, Steven, Nancy Gunnell of Draper. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, where a viewing will be held Tuesday, 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park.
