Russell Seaman, D.O.’65, created a scholarship to support first-generation students at DMU and also show his gratitude to the University.
Russell Seaman, D.O.’65, sometimes joked that he was a quiet person because his wife of 50 years, Emy, and daughter, Nicole Seaman Kaiser, are “such big talkers he couldn’t get a word in edgewise,” Nicole says. The more likely reason was that during his career as an anesthesiologist, he was known for his empathetic and thoughtful listening skills as well as his expert care.
“He was very caring and compassionate. Other doctors would request him to do the anesthesiology on their patients,” she says.
Dr. Seaman, who died on May 6, 2022, also demonstrated deep compassion with his gift to the Purple & Proud Campaign: He set up a qualified charitable distribution from an IRA through his estate plan that will establish the Russell Seaman Jr., D.O.’65, Endowed Scholarship Fund at DMU. Preference for the scholarship will be given to first-generation college graduates who— just like he did—are continuing their education as first-year students in the University’s doctor of osteopathic medicine program.
“Twenty years ago, Dad talked to me about his wishes [for his estate], and one of them was to support DMU,” Nicole says. “He said he would really love to help someone realize their dream of going to medical school.”
Dr. Seaman, who practiced at hospitals in Milwaukee, New Berlin and Watertown, Wisconsin, never forgot his own experiences as a first-generation college student. His father was a butcher, and his mother ran their modest grocery store.
“Money was tight. He never really talked about how he paid for school, but he said his aunts would occasionally send him $5,” Nicole says. “That’s how we came up with the idea for the scholarship. He hoped that some of the recipients, if they’re in position to do so someday, would pay it forward and help someone else.”
Dr. Seaman also never forgot his gratitude toward DMU.
“He felt so grateful for his education, the opportunities it presented to him and that our family had a really nice lifestyle because of that education and his job,” Nicole adds.
A planned gift is a wonderful way to express gratitude to an organization while benefiting others, as Dr. Seaman did. If you have included or want to include DMU in your estate plans, please consider sharing your intentions with the University now so that we may celebrate your donation during your lifetime. Contact Stephanie Greiner, M.S. at (515) 271-1386 or stephanie.greiner@dmu.edu to learn more.