James Seidl

James R. Seidl, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret), age 77, of Lake Namakagon, Bayfield Co., formerly of Ripon, died Friday, July 9, 1999, at St. Mary Medical Center, Duluth, MN.

He was born December 27, 1921, in Marshfield, a son to the late Joseph and Winifred (Brickheimer). After graduating from Marshfield High school he received his B.A. from Ripon College and his M.A. from the UW-Madison. While at Ripon College Jim was awarded the S.N. Pickard Award, and was later selected to the Ripon College Athletic Hall of Fame.

He received his Army basic training at Fort McCellan, AL and attended the Army Infantry Officers School at Fort Benning, GA. He joined the 89th Division and served in the European Theater of Operation during WWII. After the war “Satch” moved to the Red Arrow (32nd) Division of the Wisconsin National Guard, and retired as full Colonel and Deputy Brigade Commander after 31 years of service to his country.

On December 27, 1947, he married Patricia Campbell at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ripon. Until his retirement, Jim had been actively involved with Ripon High School where he taught math and physics, was Athletic Director for 25 yrs, and was Vice-Principal. He coached for 37 yrs, being head basketball coach for 31 yrs when Ripon won 9 Conference Championships. He also coached football and track for many years. Coach Seidl was involved in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, and received the 1980, WIAA District 4 Athletic Director of the year award, and was Commissioner of the Little Ten, East Central and Dual County Conferences. He was president of the Wisconsin State Coaches Association and was inducted as a Charter Member of the Wisconsin State High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979. For years Jim was also Ripon’s City Recreational Director.

Jim was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ripon, was a longtime member and Past President of the Ripon Noon Kiwanis Club, and for 10 years actively served Wisconsin State Badger Boys at Ripon College. He was also a member of the Lions Club at Cable.

He is survived by his wife, Velma SeidI of Cable; 1 son, David (Gloria) SeidI of Scottsdale, AZ; 2 daughters, Jennifer (James) Beier and Barb Lambert, both of Ripon; 8 grandchildren, Adam & Cassidy Seidl, Megan & Sara Beier, MacKenzie Ziegler & Joseph Lambert, Elizabeth Gardner & William Russell; 1 great-grandchild, Danner Gardner. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Patricia in 1991.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 13, 1999, from 4.7:30 PM at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon where a Rosary will be said at 7:30 PM. Friends may also call on Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church Ripon. Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Wednesday, July 14, 1999, at 10:30 AM at the church with Father John A. Schmitz officiating. Interment will be in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Town of Ripon. Memorials may be directed to the Estate of Jim Seidl for a Ripon High School Student Athlete Scholarship Award.