Dr. David Hubert Seibold's Obituary
Dr. David Hubert Seibold passed away peacefully in his beloved home on the shores of Lake Michigan, September 9, 2022. Dave was born March 7, 1927, in Peoria, Illinois, the second son of August and Hazel Bell Seibold. When Dave was five months old the family moved to Jackson, Michigan where Dave grew up with brothers Paul and Jack, learning to swim at age three at his family’s summer cottage on Clark Lake. His parents and brothers preceded him in death. Dave graduated from Jackson High School. In June 1945 as President of his class he won his first National Swimming Championship that same year. He served in the Army for fourteen months training troops, then returned to Michigan State University where he won three more National Swimming Championships, was Captain of the Swim Team, a member of Porpoise Fraternity and proudly wore the White Star of Sigma Nu. His senior year at Michigan State, June 18, 1949, Dave married his wife of 73 years, Dorothe Welch, the girl he met in “the sand box in kindergarten”. From East Lansing Dave and Dottie moved to Ann Arbor where Dave attended the U of M Dental School, while Dottie worked at the U of M institute for Social Research. Following graduation from Dental School in 1954, where he was class President, Dave and Dottie moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where Dave served in the Strong-Carter Dental Clinic for indigent island children. Dave was the only Haole (Caucasian) on the clinic staff and thus learned much about the colorful culture of old Hawaii.
Dave spent three weeks sailing back to the mainland on the Kirawan, a 52 foot, 5 crew sailboat, several of those days drifting in the doldrums enjoying the company of a small wale, Dottie flew to the mainland, and they moved to Grand Haven, which they had vowed to make their home after spending their honeymoon here. On December 1, 1955, Dave started his dental practice that focused on family dentistry, serving the community for over 40 years. While in Hawaii Dave built a 12-foot surfboard that he used on the waves at Waikiki. Dave brought the board to Grand Haven where he surfed at the Grand Haven beach and has been recognized as the first long board surfer on the Great Lakes. Dave and Dottie had three children: David Kale, Marta Kullei and Mele, names with a Hawaiian touch.
Dave was a fun loving, magical Dad and time spent with family was full of activity and adventure. Leis were flown from Hawaii for special occasions, and many evenings were spent with a ukulele singing, or leading a sing a long, while watching the sunset. In his leisure Dave could also be found playing tennis, skiing, sailing, surfing, golfing or doing triathlons. He swam almost daily into his early 90’s.
“Dr. Dave” founded and was the first President of the Tri-Cities Family YMCA and enjoyed 20 years as the volunteer coach of the Y swim team. He also coached the first Grand Haven boy’s High School swim team. Dave founded and was the first President of the Grand Haven Historical Society. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Haven School Board as well as leadership roles in civic activities too numerous to list. Dave was a past president and an active Rotarian for 66 years, still attending in his waning days for the camaraderie of his fellow Rotarians. Mention must be given to his venerated Stag Club which was purely camaraderie!
During his dental practice years Dave was active at both the State and National level winning the Silent Bell Award and serving as President of the West Michigan Dental Society. He spent many years in the Grand Haven area going to elementary schools with an oversized toothbrush and a large board with a face and huge mouth, which he dubbed “Mr. Big Mouth”, demonstrating dental hygiene to grade school kids.
Dave’s interests were wide and varied, he and Dottie traveled extensively to parts of the world that intrigued him. Dave and Dottie also enjoyed touring around the Great Lakes and Canada in his 1930 Ford Model A convertible. When the family was younger there were many vacations spent driving to destinations in order to see as much of our country as possible, and of course Hawaii was always a favorite, often visited, vacation spot.
Dave was an prolific writer, publishing several books about local history. In his later years, showered his friends and family with his annual compositions which people looked forward to. His proudest accomplishment is the 900 page book “Grand Haven; In the Path of Destiny”, an account of local history which he and Dottie, spent over 20 years crafting. The book is a lasting legacy.
Dave had a zest for learning, expressing itself in being one of the founders of the Senior lecture program Grand Forum, under the auspices of GVSU, a program that started with 20 members and evolved into over 200.
Dave is survived by his wife, Dottie; three children: David Kale Seibold, Marta Kuulei Dempsey and Mele Seibold Kelley; grandchildren: Traci Eileen Kelley, Kevin Seibold Kelley and Elizabeth Nicole Kelley, and many nieces and nephews. All will miss him dearly.
In keeping with Dave’s wishes, a celebratory gathering will be held in late spring. A notice will be forthcoming. If you wish, you may honor Dave by contributing to our Tri-Cities Family YMCA. Thank you! Please sign the family’s online guestbook at http://www.sytsemafh.com
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