Obituary of Richard Alan Seaitz

Richard Alan Seaitz joined the world on August 25, 1953. After beating the diagnosis of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung, Richard sadly passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 22, 2024 after a short hospital stay in Pensacola, Florida. He was 71. The lives of those who knew him were forever changed that morning. No number of words can express the impact he made on the people who were graced by his presence, but I’ll try.
 
His life began normally enough. As the second son of Howard and Hiroko Seaitz, Richard lived the first chapter of his life as an Air Force child. The family of six moved around a lot, as any military family does, living much of his childhood in Japan, Alaska, Kansas, and Arizona. Eventually, the Seaitz’s settled in for their final duty station at Eglin Air Force Base, in Valparaiso, Florida.
 
Richard attended Niceville High School and graduated in 1971. He’s not in their yearbook. Though you could still find someone with photos from a party he surely attended. He was the life of the party, quite handsome and distinct with his Japanese heritage and long dark hair.
 
Richard joined the Army shortly after graduation. He served in Germany for the 6th Battalion 10th Nuclear Field Artillery unit as a Tactical Wire Operator. The stories he told of his time in Germany were absolutely epic. From sneaking away to Oktoberfest in a “commandeered” Deuce and a Half, the dozens of concert tickets in a photo album from across Europe, even the Shoppette he ran out of a rented farmhouse apartment (though he never got caught by the MP’s). He recounted his time in the US Army like a story book. He served three years before returning to the States.
 
Richard moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where he started a career in the stock room of Morrison’s Cafeteria under the management of his older brother. From there, his entry level job led to management and Richard thrived in his career. He briefly married and had one child, his daughter, Jessica. He returned to Valparaiso, Florida to raise his daughter and care for his mother, as his father battled illness and later passed.
 
Richard spent 28 years in Restaurant Management with Morrison’s and Piccadilly Cafeterias before retiring to his second career.  The second half of his working life was spent as a Baker, with a stint in management as well, for Publix Supermarkets. His coworkers at both careers tell tales of his antics. Richard had a way with words, was a jokester, an unbelievably hard worker, and made each day a story of its own.

Richard dedicated his entire adult life to raising his only daughter as a single father. They shared a connection that could only be matched by the bond he shared with his only grandson, Jaxson. Richard was the best father and Papa anyone could ever hope for. He was a dedicated son, caring for his mother each day with no complaints. He lived his entire life for them and his sacrifices should not go unnoticed.
 
Richard was an avid fisherman. He loved Florida and all the sportsmanship it had to offer. Freshwater or saltwater, he had a knack for catching fish. He enjoyed attending festivals, from music to seafood to arts. The Mullet Festival in Niceville was his favorite time to catch up with lifelong friends. He enjoyed antiques, flea markets, yard sales and such. He was very thrifty and loved “junk” as he called it.
 
Richard was the best friend to many. He never met a stranger. He remembered random things about each person he knew and often gifted things he would find or purchase especially for them. He treated every friend of Jessica’s as if they were his own daughters, too. He cherished his friends. He truly enjoyed still having lunch with the same group of guys since High School. Counting his friends and adoptees, his family was so large. It speaks volumes to his character and how great of a man he was.
 
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Howard W. Seaitz; his brother, Joseph R. Seaitz (Cindy); his brother, Robert E. Seaitz (Lorena); and his grandparents, both paternal and maternal. He is survived by his mother, Hiroko T. Seaitz; his daughter, Jessica L. Mathis; his grandson, Jaxson; his stepson, William H. Gilbert Jr.; his sister, Cheryl L. Stoner (David); his niece, Kara Stoner; and nephew Jonathan “Spencer” Seaitz (Kim).

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 20th at 4:00 PM at Compass Rose, 303 East Glen Avenue, Valparaiso, Florida 32580. Covered dishes are appreciated. Please join us to have a drink, socialize, and tell some lies, as he would have wanted.