Lou Seidel

Salisbury—Louis Stanley Seidel, (Lou), of Salisbury and Bel Air, MD died Sunday Morning November 25, 2012 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Born June 30, 1929 in Salisbury, he was the son of the late Joseph and Anna Silverstein Seidel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 36 years, Pauline Bradford Seidel, and his two brothers, Samuel and Sheldon Seidel, all of Salisbury, MD.

After graduating from Wicomico High School in 1946 he went on to Salisbury State Teachers College where he earned his degree in Education, and later his Masters Degree in the same field from the University of Delaware. Mr. Seidel was employed by the Harford County Maryland Board of Education in 1950 to teach fourth and fifth grades at Edgewood Elementary School. It was then that he was called into active duty with the US Navy where he was assigned to the Bainbridge Naval Training Center for duty during the Korean War. In 1954 he returned to the county to teach sixth grade students in Aberdeen and Halls Cross Roads Elementary Schools. Within two years he was named teaching principal at Forest Hill Elementary School and in 1965 was named the first principal of the newly created Hickory Elementary School where his charge was to desegregate the first all-black Central Consolidated School as total integration was finally achieved in the county. In following years, he served as principal for several schools throughout the county system.

He was like a devoted father to his students and was an outstanding individual who devoted his life to education as a teacher and as a principal for nearly 40 years. His best attribute was his sense of humor that served him and those with whom he worked with.

In addition to his passion for educating youth, Lou enjoyed a lifelong affinity for boating. As past commander of the Bush River Power Squadron, he enjoyed sharing that love with others. He served as president and was an active member of the Harford County Retired School Personnel Association. He was also active during and after his professional career with the Harford County Education Association and its parent organization, the Maryland State Teachers Association. He was elected as MSTA Board member and chaired the Centennial Celebration. Ultimately, Lou was inducted into the prestigious Harford County Public Schools Teacher Hall of Fame whose influence continues to impact local public schools.

He is survived by current wife Earlene Seidel of Salisbury; his sons, Benjamin Seidel of Ocean City, MD and David Seidel of Albuquerque, NM; daughter, Robin Seidel-Gibson of Edgewood, MD; grandchildren, Caryn, Rachael, Joseph and Hannah Seidel, nieces Jenny Duhe, Susan Tilghman, Sarah Stivelman, Vicky Herdes German, Cathy LeCates and Christine Sifford; nephews Hank and Mike Seidel and Everett Bradford, and in-laws Marilynn Seidel, Betty Jean German and Gail Bishop.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Harford County Retired Personnel Association, C/O Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 133, Churchville, MD 21028.