Wilbur M. Seipel

Wilbur M. Seipel, age 85, passed away, Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He was born at St. John’s Hospital in Anderson, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, William and Bernice Seipel and infant son, Alfred Paul Seipel, who lived only 3 days. Wilbur is survived by his wife, Lilly Ann who he was married to for 46 years; his son Anthony and his wife Tammy; grandchildren, Abigail and Andrew, and son Frank and his wife Laura. Wilbur was President of the Greater Columbus Dahlia Society and belonged to the Cincinnati, Cleveland, Youngstown and Pittsburgh Societies. He was a senior judge. He loved all flowers. The dahlia was his favorite, especially Zorro. He grew them for their beauty rather than to show them to win prizes, even though he did well in that regard. Wilbur was an avid history reader and was well versed in automobile and airplane history as well. He belonged to the American Rose Society, the Canal Society, the Ohio Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Society. He enjoyed watching Fox News and Bill O’Reilly. Between his junior and senior year in high school in Anderson, Indiana he worked at the Chevrolet division of General Motors designing cylinder heads for Pratt and Whitney. While at Purdue, he was drafted in to the U.S. Army and served from 1946 to 1947 in the 2nd Division, 38th Regimen at Fort Carson Colorado and in Arkansas as part of the ski patrol. He graduated from Purdue with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (1949) and a Master’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (1956). He loved Purdue and watched Ohio State beat Purdue in overtime. He was a life member of Purdue alumni. Wilbur had a long, successful and varied career as a mechanical engineer, working for; Delco Remy (Anderson, IN), General Motors, Boeing, Stewart Warner, General Dynamics, North American Rockwell and Canada Air. While at Rockwell, he was one of several people that worked on the B-1 Bomber air turbine starter. While at General Dynamics (Convair Division) he worked on the Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and was a Professional Engineer. He enjoyed building and flying radio controlled airplanes. He was a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. He belonged to the NRA. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite for 54 years. He was member of the Murat Temple and Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 77, Anderson, IN. He was also a life member of AASR, Valley of Columbus. Wilbur enjoyed his yearly flight on the Ford Tri-Motor on which he spent many hours as a young boy, since his uncle owned a Ford Tri-Motor which he flew out of Port Clinton. Most of all he enjoyed visiting his farms in Indiana to see how the crops were growing. Wilbur always had a smile for everyone and will be missed by many. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Julie Chalmers, Dr. Chris George, Dr. Robert Toscano and his team. Dr. Ko and his team, Dr. Jeff Lyons and his team, all of the COPC doctors and all loving nurses and Hospice nurses at Riverside. The family will receive friends from 5-7pm, Friday, December 7, 2012 at the SCHOEDINGER NORTH CHAPEL. 5554 Karl RD. A Masonic service will be held at the conclusion of the calling hours. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Resurrection Cemetery.