Dr. Leonard F. Seda, 17 Aug 1932 - 12 Dec 2020

SEDA, ROUBINEK, NOVAK, YEO, STRADLEY, JACOBI

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 12/23/2020 at 11:01:28

Dr. Leonard F. Seda, 88, of Victor, died on December 12, 2020, at Brooklyn Community Estates.

A Funeral Mass has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 18th, at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor, with Rev. Cory Close and Rev. Jon Seda, officiating. Organist will be Kathy Lynch. Pallbearers are Jeff McIntyre, Brian Pankratz, Joe and Nick Seda, John Stradley, and Zach Yeo. Honorary bearers are Dr. John Kluge, Bill Lynch, Dr. Bill McElroy, Delmar McWilliams, Dr. Duke Wilgenbusch, and Dr. James Yoder. Burial will be in the Victor Calvary Cemetery.

A Rosary will be said at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, December 17th, at the Smith Funeral Home in Victor.Visitation with the Seda family present will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the Smith Funeral Home Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Leonard and Collette Seda HLV Scholarship Fund or the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine.

Leonard was born on the family farm south of Traer o August 17, 132 to Ludwig and Mildred Roubinek Seda. He received his 8th grade education in a one room country school and graduated from Traer High School as a valedictorian of his class in 1950. He enrolled in Iowa State University as an Agriculture Economics Major. In 1952, he was accepted into the College of Veterinary Medicine and received his DVM degree in 1956. Dr. Seda was employed as a mixed animal practitioner in Hudson and later that year moved to Victor, to assist Dr. G.W. Rieke. From 1957-1959, Dr. Seda served in the US Army Veterinary Corp as a 1st Lieutenant performing military food inspections.

On August 2, 1958, he was united in marriage to Collette H. Novak at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tama. Dr. Seda returned to Victor and joined a mixed animal practice with Dr. G. W. Rieke (1959-1973) and Dr. L.C. (Duke) Wilgenbusch (1973-2003). “Doc” enjoyed both the swine/cattle work and pet care. In 1979, the partnership, Victor Veterinary Associates, built a new veterinary clinic which continues to serve the community.

Dr. Seda’s professional leadership included Eastern Iowa VMA (1973) and Iowa VMA (1981) presidencies. In 1990, he was elected to the Executive Board of the National American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and served as Board Chair in 1995-96. In 1998, he was elected and served as National AVMA President in 1999-2000. This prestigious position gave “Doc” and Collette a great opportunity to travel world-wide representing over 63,000 U.S. veterinarians. Iowa colleagues honored him as Iowa Veterinarian of the Year in 1985 and the ISU Stange Award in 1991.

Victor’s progress was very important to Leonard. He served on the HLV School Board 1964-1970, and was President of the Victor Community Development Association for 25 years. Working to get Victor Manufacturing (1979) and Victor Plastics (1983) to establish plants locally was a “milestone”. Passing bond issues for HLV School improvements and building the Victor Health Center were special goals for “Doc.”

Leonard loved music. He played clarinet and was especially fond of his Czech polkas. Marching in the ISU Band was a fond memory and he enjoyed singing in Victor musical productions. Catholic Church participation was important to Leonard. He directed the St. Bridget's Catholic Choir for many years. Leonard and Collette served as Eucharistic Ministers for the Mass Liturgy and visitation to local disabled shut-ins. At ISU, Leonard was president of the Catholic Student's Newman Club in 1952.Leonard loved photography, hunting, and fishing. Taking pictures of her grandchildren and friends became “Doc’s” expected activity. Chasing pheasants with his two Vizslas was a favorite pastime and fishing farm ponds was his relaxation.

Survivors include his wife, Collette of Victor; three children, Cal (Michele) Seda of Urbandale, Lene’ (Brian) Yeo of Fairway, Kansas, and Chris Seda of Chicago; five grandchildren, Emile (John) Stradley, Joe (Micaela, Zachary Yeo, and Nicholas and Sydney Seda; three grandchildren, Jonah Seda, and Carter and Jack Stradley; and one brother, Ted Seda.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Mayme Jacobi.

Published in The Hometown Current on December 23, 2020.