Robert H. Seering

Robert H. Seering, 88 of Allouez passed away of natural causes at home on October 8, 2013. He is survived by his loving wife Rita who were united in marriage September 7, 1946. Bob was born on October 14, 1924, in Tipler, Wisconsin and at age three was adopted by John and Effie Seering of New London, Wisconsin. An athlete and musician in high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the European Theater during World War II. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music from Lawrence University and became a high school music teacher at Powers Spaulding, Michigan, New Lisbon and Hortonville, Wisconsin. The Seering family moved to the Green Bay area in 1960 where he worked in television, retail and insurance sales. Bob went back to teaching music in 1964 for the Green Bay School District. He also went back to school and earned a Masters of Music Degree from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. He retired from teaching in 1986. His deep love of music is apparent throughout his entire life – an accomplished trumpet player and singer in many combos and dance bands, he was a member of the Packers Lumberjack Band in the 1960's, and founder/director emeritus of the Allouez Village Band. He is also credited with beginning the band program for Green Bay Catholic Schools. A writer and published music composer – the Sync Music Company - Bob's works are performed regularly by municipal, high school and college bands. He was most proud of adapting Beethoven's Symphony #5 Fourth Movement for bands – something only he accomplished in the 200 years since it had been written.

Bob had a deep faith, converting to Roman Catholicism in the mid 1950's becoming the choir director and organist at St. Peter & Paul in Hortonville and serving in the same capacity at St. Matthew in Allouez. Rita Seering was an integral member of both choirs with her beautiful alto voice. Bob and Rita also served as Eucharistic Ministers at Bellin Hospital for many years.

His outgoing personality prompted Bob to engage as many people as possible in conversation. He talked to anyone and everyone whenever and wherever the opportunity presented itself – often making certain to insert his 'joke of the day'. Avid cribbage and bridge players, he and Rita also loved golfing in their earlier years with the Woodside Couples League. They spent many hours doing crossword puzzles and watching sports, especially the Packers, Badgers and Brewers. Bob was a charter member of the oldest fantasy football league in the area.

Together Bob and Rita raised ten children. In his memoirs, Bob sums up how blessed he was: "How very fortunate I was, to have had the distinct opportunity of having a beautiful, loving and unique family. No one could have asked for a more fruitful and God-given experience."

Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia George; granddaughter, Christine (Seering) Sharpe; son-in-law, Mark DeWees; brother, Jack Seering.
Survivors include the love of his life, Rita; sons and daughters: Bob (Maureen) Seering, Linda (Al) Mezzoni, Tom (Sue) Seering, Timm Seering, Deb DeWees, Mary (Bob) Bodmer, David (Lori) Seering, Barbara (Jeff) Van Essen, and Michael (Kim) Seering; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Carol Seering; and many other relatives.

Family and friends may gather Sunday, October 13, 2013, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm with a parish prayer service at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue on Monday at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 130 St. Matthew St., Green Bay, from 8:30am until 10:15am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the church on Monday at 10:30am with Rev. Phillip Dinh-Van-Thiep officiating and Fr. David Belongea concelebrating. Military Honors will follow the mass. Entombment will be at the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund in Bob's name with proceeds going to support music programs in the Green Bay Area.