In Memoriam ~ James A. Seitz ’46

James Albert Seitz, US Army, of Vernon Hills, Ill., died June 6, 2016, at The Springs of Vernon Hills at the age of 87. A retired research pharmacist, “Jim” Seitz worked for 22 years at Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago. He retired in 1993. He previously had worked for 3M and Parke-Davis, doing pharmaceutical research. He enjoyed golf, bridge, reading, crossword puzzles, travel, gardening and taking long walks, especially in the forest preserves and parks of Lake County, Ill. Seitz was an active member of his local Catholic parishes. He was a founding member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Parish in Gurnee, Ill. He was a member of St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church in Indian Creek, Ill., for 8 years. Jim was born in Eau Claire, Wis., to Albert and Dorothy (Hubley) Seitz.

His father was a retail pharmacist and his mother managed the pharmacy and taught primary school. As a young adult, Seitz worked in his father’s pharmacy and picked fruits and vegetables on local farms. He is a graduate of St. John’s College Preparatory School in Collegeville, Minn. Jim graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. in pharmacy. Seitz served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War, working in a medical aid station near the front lines as a medical detachment commander. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal. After his discharge, Seitz attained the rank of captain in the Medical Service Corps, U.S. Army Reserve. He met his future wife, Alice Kelly, in college and the two married in August 1954 in Chippewa Falls, Wis. Together they raised seven children. They moved to Libertyville, Ill., in 1971. As empty-nesters, Jim and Alice moved to Gurnee and eventually settled in Vernon Hills.

James is survived by his wife; a brother, Richard J. Seitz; seven children, Jane Blanchard (Steven), Paul Seitz (Eileen Conway), Julie Hamman (Joseph), William Seitz, Patrick Seitz (Anne Eisele), Mary DiOrio (Douglas) and James J. Seitz (Kimberly Rowekamp); as well as 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.