Paul Richard Seidel, III

Paul Richard Seidel III passed away July 3, 2023 at the age of 76 years old due to Multiple Myeloma cancer. Paul was born February 22, 1947 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, the first of two children to Paul Richard Seidel Jr. and Anna Marie Seidel. He graduated from Schuylkill Haven High School in 1965. Paul attended Penn State University for a two year program of surveying technology and then went to work for the Pennsylvania Department of Highways. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in April 1967 and qualified for Officer Candidate School in April 1968. He served in Vietnam from November 1969 until November 1970 with the 23rd Infantry Division as an advisor to the South Vietnamese. He received the Bronze Star, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and National Service Medal. Paul left the Army as a Captain and returned to college at St. Martin’s University in Olympia, Washington in the fall of 1972 and graduated in 1974, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. Paul met the love of his life, Peggy, at Fort Lewis and they were married on June 9, 1973. Paul went to graduate school at the University of Washington, Seattle, and received a Master’s Degree in Salmon Genetics and Life History in 1976, and was then employed with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife in 1977. In 1978 Paul and Peggy had their first child, a son, Matthew Paul and in 1985 their daughter Sara Elizabeth followed. Paul was employed with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Hatchery Department for over 31 years, retiring in 2008. He had a major role in the development of incorporating science and production issues with hatchery programs. He led and advised strategic planning, policy development, and negotiations for all hatchery reform activities in Washington State. He was assigned to the Hatchery Scientific Review Group established and funded by Congress to independently review hatchery programs in Puget Sound and coastal Washington, a major career accomplishment. During his career he was also Area Division Manager, Fish Research Biologist and coordinated the establishment and operation of all cooperative and non-departmental salmonid cultural facilities in Washington State. Paul and Peggy lived in Washington state for over 35 years so how did they end up retiring in Montana. Paul’s father-in-law, Leonard Goss, was born and raised in Montana. Peggy lived in Montana until she was 14 years old, at which time her family moved to Tacoma, Washington. In 1979 Leonard took Paul deer hunting in Montana; it was a wonderful experience for Paul, so much so that he returned nearly every fall for the next 30 years. What fantastic topography and scenery. He and Peggy spent over 25 summers with the children camping and fishing at Georgetown Lake and Rock Creek. Once their children graduated from high school in Washington state, both Matthew and Sara moved to Missoula and graduated from the University of Montana. It was the obvious choice when Paul and Peggy retired to move to Helena, Montana in 2008. Paul was a 4-H Leader, Assistant Soccer coach and Master Gardener. Due to Paul’s health issues, Paul and Peggy moved to Missoula in 2021 to be near their son and his family. Paul is survived by his wife Peggy of 50 years; son Matthew Paul Seidel, wife Janet Seidel and their children Tristan, Clara, and Emmett; daughter Sara Elizabeth Wood, and her husband Jeremiah Wood and their children Wyatt, Ethan, and Weston; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Leonard and Gladys Goss, brother Rod and his wife Cherie, nephews Tim and Greg and their spouses Sally and Lindsay and their children. Paul was preceded in death by his parents Paul Seidel Jr. and Anna Seidel. Paul spent his last months under the loving care of the staff at Edgewood Vista Memory Care in Missoula. There are no words to describe how devoted the staff was to Paul’s needs and Peggy’s. Special thanks also to Big Sky Palliative and Hospice for their caring of Paul. Cremation has taken place with Just Cremation. A private graveside memorial with military honors will be held at a later date.