Birth date: Dec 16, 1945 Death date: Apr 6, 2016
Mr. Richard J. Seyffert, age 70, of Spring Lake passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2016. He was born December 16, 1945 in Grand Rapids to Edward “Roy” and Margaret “Bernice” (Widemeyer) Seyffert. Richard was a long-time member of bot Read Obituary
Dick was one of my special patients at Loyola. We met at a difficult time (as he awaited transplant) but he was always quick with a smile or some gem of wisdom whenever I came into his room or when he came in for an appointment I loved to hear his stories about sailing, his boys, and our mutual love for Spring Lake. I was honored to know him. May thoughts are with you all.
I remember Dick jumping on a jet-ski only a couple years ago (when he probably shouldn't have) to rescue two sailors that couldn't quite make it to his house on Spring Lake (they had tipped over). Always ready to lend a hand, and a good man to have known. Smooth sailing Dick.
I know I can speak for the Grand River Sailing Club that we were so blessed to have Dick as a friend, competitor, past commodore, member of the board, race committee chair and booster of anything to do with our sailing programs, including the Winches, Family Sailing, Monday night lite racing, adult sailing classes and the high school sailing team. Most of all, we remember his smile, optimism and calmness. His appreciation of receiving more time with a heart transplant was well known and his encouragement for Gift of Life will certainly help many other people.
During the 50 years I have been blessed to know him, he loved his family and was VERY proud of all of them and thoroughly enjoyed telling me all there accomplishments. All of them formed, a major high quality family to be associated with. Dick taught me the love of sailing that I have become addicted to. The value and enjoyment of good hard physical work. Not to wast time complaining, no one wants to hear it anyway ;-) don't like something, change it or yourself. He and I had very straight conversations where you new exactly where we both stood on every topic. Not that Dick EVER had strong opinions on anything ;-) There was not an emotional fence he would walk, he would kick it down, so the real person or thoughts would be known. I really respected that kind of honesty, it's very rare, nice to know where you stand in the world with people. He taught me to fix stuff as a kid and as an adult to focus on being my own person. The main reason I have my own business and my life is off the chart great is because of lessons taught to me from Dick. I will miss him and highly value his advise every day of my life. Bob Hopes theme song, "Thanks for the memories" keeps swimming in my mind.
Richard was the Light in our darkness. We share you grief.
Cindy Miller
Austin's aunt
