Prescott Seckel, 80, of Palm Harbor, Florida, passed away on June 8, 2021, at home under the care of his family and comforted by his devoted dog Gracie and cat Oscar.
Pres was a charismatic and caring person who loved to share a laugh by delivering memorable one-liners with a mischievous smile. He cultivated close and long-lasting friendships with people of all walks of life and showed generosity to, and genuine concern for, individuals in need. As a father to Sean (Susie) Seckel and Sheryl (Gabe) Hunter and Papa/Baba to their children, Lauren and Ashley Seckel and Logan and Aspen Hunter, he was a constant provider of love, guidance, support and inspiration. He and his wife Sandy of 57 years built a life of many blessings and treasured memories for which Pres was deeply grateful. Both a talented athlete and dedicated professional, Pres worked hard and played hard all while battling numerous health problems with grit, determined to “stay in the game.”
Pres’ life well-lived began in Peoria, Illinois, on July 7, 1940. He attended Central High School where he was class president, played basketball and golf, and was later inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for golf. He was Peoria City Junior Golf Champion and at 17 beat his father, Albert Seckel, for the Country Club of Peoria club championship (17 years later, his father beat him for the same championship). He graduated from the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey where he played on the golf team and was captain of the basketball team and All State. He continued both sports at Princeton University, playing basketball as a freshman and golf all four years, elected captain his senior year. He was runner-up in the Eastern Intercollegiate Championship and twice a NCAA player. His major was political science, and he was a member of Cottage Club. After graduation in 1963, he entered the Air Force and served as an officer in the Peoria Illinois Air National Guard, resigning his commission as Captain in 1969.
Pres began his financial services career at Peoria’s Hornblower and Weeks office in 1964 and
became manager at 29. He left to establish and manage a Peoria office for Loewi and Co. which became Blunt Ellis and Loewi and then part of Kemper Securities. He additionally served on the Board of Directors of Jefferson Bank at that time. In 1987, Pres and Sandy moved to Palm Harbor, Florida, where Pres established and managed a new office for Kemper in Clearwater and later opened a new office for Robert W. Baird in Palm Harbor before retiring in 2009. He continued to study and invest in the markets daily, sharing his interest and knowledge with his son Sean and son-in-law Gabe.
Golf was a lifetime passion for Pres. He played until just weeks before his death, determined to keep on swinging even when he could no longer play to the level that earned him 10 club championships at various courses. Pres reveled in sharing his love of the game with others, especially his grandson, Logan (18), whom he coached from the age of three and saw become an AJGA Scholastic All-American and rising Division 1 college golfer for William & Mary. Over the years Pres was a member of Peoria Country Club, Country Club of the Rockies, Avila, Innisbrook and Old Memorial, and he served on the board of directors of the Copperheads for the PGA tournament at Innisbrook and on the selection committee for Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest.
Pres is survived by his wife Sandy; son Sean(Susie)Seckel of Palm Harbor; daughter Sheryl(Gabe)Hunter of Tampa; grandchildren Lauren and Ashley Seckel and Logan and Aspen Hunter; sister Sherry Seckel of Los Angeles(and soon Belleair,FL). Extended family includes Valerie West, Kathy Naab, Anita, Hilary and Bernard Huddlestun and the Sellow Family (Jason, deceased, widow Sue, and sons Nicholas and Anthony). Pres was preceded in death by his grandson, Sean Prescott Seckel, Jr.
A private graveside service will be held at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in July, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering in the fall. Donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760 in honor of the caring and helpful service they provided Pres and his family, or to the Humane Society of Pinellas, 3040 State Road 590, Clearwater, FL 33759 in honor of the amazing dogs and cats who gave Pres great joy in his life. www.sylvanabbey.com
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