"Bob, you were a good friend, a light during a bad time at SUNY, a joy to be with, and the second best ping pong player I knew. I don't know what caused me to think of you today, so many years since last we spoke. I wish it had happened earlier. Deirdre, I don't think we ever met, but he spoke of you so lovingly, so deeply when you first started dating."
In loving memory of
Dr. Bob Seltzer
October 16, 2012
Dr. Bob Seltzer died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) less than ten months after his diagnosis. He was 44.
Bob was first and foremost a philosopher. His world view was primary, and what characteristically followed from it was his emotional and intellectual intensity as a loving husband, his generosity and guidance as a father, his kindness and strength as a friend, colleague, and teacher, as well as his avid and incisive political activism. He lived and died honestly with both fortitude and dignity. He showed all those who knew him not only how to live a life guided by integrity and compassion, but how each of us is able to seek wisdom through intently challenging ourselves and others. It is through continuous reflection and the building of our own characters that we are able to make ourselves and thereby the world a better place. We owe it to him to live our lives as fully, honestly, and generously as possible. He spent his life teaching us how.
Originally from New York, Bob received his Ph.D. from University at Albany, SUNY, was an assistant professor of philosophy at Western Illinois University, and an adjunct professor of philosophy at Quincy University. He had previously taught at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He presented at various academic conferences, published philosophical and literary articles, and is the author of the recent poetry collection, After Thunder: Poetry from the Edge of Fatherhood and ALS.
He is survived by his love and best friend, his wife Dr. Deirdre Fagan, his inspiration and joy, his son Liam Fagan Seltzer and his daughter Maeve Fagan Seltzer of 1640 Vermont; his mother Mary Seltzer of Sun City Center, Florida; his father Leslie Seltzer of Brandon, Florida; and his sister Laura and brother-in-law Dan Grucza and family of Valrico, Florida.
The family requests playful and life-affirming support for Deirdre, Liam, and Maeve. Donations to the children's education savings may be sent to Deirdre. Charitable donations in Bob's name may also be made to Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union, Heifer International, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, or the ALS Association.
Tributes
"Diedre, I met you in a time of need and hopefully was able to help you through. I knew the two of you only from our anuual encounters after that, but the family devotion and love was always present - Bob for you, you for Bob, and both of you for your children. I can only wish you peace, for only God can heal the loss in your life."
"Dear Deirdre and Family, I am so sorry to hear about Bob's death. Please accept my condolences during this difficult time of loss. You are in my prayers. I'm sure he will be with you always. May God's peace be with you."
"My prayers are with Deidre, Liam, & Maeve. Bob was a joy to see when he came to pick up his children from daycare. He had a way of joking & making you think at the same time. This world has truly lost a great mind & a wonderful father."
"I miss Bob. And I wish I could "like" other people's condolences because some said it so well."
"Deirdre -- I am saddened by the note of your husband's passing. Jennifer forwarded your husband's obituary, and I read it with inspiration. May you find comfort in knowing that he is with you and your children in spirit, and may you also find strength in moving on with the comfort of Liam and Maeve. My condolences; I am thinking of you."
"We only met once, but Sharon has kept me posted. Be strong because Bob is in a much more comfortable place and I know he will be watching over all of you."
"Bob's laughter was wonderful and his insights into the world resonate in my mind on many occasion. I am happy to have a piece of him to carry with me the rest of my days."
"Deepest sympathy to Bob's family and friends.....Bob, you will always be my second son..."
"Deirdre, Liam, and Maeve, My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I am honored to have had a chance to get to know each of you. Please let me know if I can help in any way. -Mrs. Stegeman"
"I'm sorry for your loss. I did not know Bob very well, we had coffee a few times and talked a bit in the graduate student office but he was always supportive of me as a new graduate student. Right now you grieve but you will have many comforts in supportive memories, of a wonderfully loving, husband, father, and man."
"D-I was so excited when Bob came into your life-I saw you truly happy for the first time. It's not fair-and unfortunately you have had your share of "not fair". You are strong; you will always have Bob as an inspiration and you will always have the kids as a reminder of the love you two shared. You are in my thoughts and prayers and you always have an open door, warm bed, good food and glass (or two) of wine. All our love-me, Jim and kids"
"To the Seltzer family - I am so very sorry for your loss. I did not know Bob, but my sister, Rebecca Adcox, was a former student and friend of Bob's and Dierdre's. She thought the world of Bob, and was devestated by the news of his illness. My sister and I are close, and when she would talk of Bob with such sorrow as his illness progressed, I felt sad, too. She told me about how kind he was, what a great sense of humor he had, and how he was such an integral part of her academic life and her lasting friendships beyond. She participated in the ALS walk and I was happy to donate to the cause in Bob's name. I got to see their friendship first-hand through their playful interactions on Facebook. I feel as though I knew Bob myself, and was very sorry to hear of his passing. May you find comfort knowing the joy Bob brought to others and the positive impact he had on their lives."
"I am both saddened and in complete shock over this news. Bob was a good friend of mine during our senior year of high school. A bunch of us used to hang out and we always had the best of times. I am wowed by all of Bob's accomplishments during his adult life. Many people live their entire lives not doing half of what Bob did. My heart goes out to Bob's wife and children during this very difficult time. I will pray for Bob's spirit to get you through this time. God Bless you all!"
"I am floored by this news, just floored. Bob was too vibrant a person to ever pass away, especially at the tender age of 44. He leaves a space that will never be filled in the same way by another soul. At the same time, he also leaves a legacy of intelligence, warmth, laughter, and creativity-- and the beautiful, amazing family he created with Deirdre. I hope there is a heaven, and that Bob is holding court with all of the most amazing philosophers and artists and musicians right this very moment. Sending all of my love, Karen"
"Bob was a genuine original, though I suspect that he was never as aware as we all were and are of how uniquely wonderful he was. That was part of Bob's unique charm: he was a serious, thoughtful, brilliant and generous man who took everything and everyone else more seriously than he took himself. This trait enabled his family and his friends to experience many joyous, raucous, thought-provoking and loving occasions with him. Everyone will miss him very much, and we will remain inspired by his straight-on way of looking life in the eye--and, even in the face of an unfair and ridiculous world, not averting his gaze. Sometimes this Gentle Giant even winked at it all. Love to dear Deirdre, Liam and Maeve, who will keep Bob's love-light burning."
"Bob died the same way he lived: beautifully, generously, with his soul and spirit intact. He will be missed tremendously. He'll always be with us. Always. Always. Endless hugs to Deirdre, Liam, Maeve and all his family and friends."
"When you left this earth, a place was emptied on this planet that can never be filled again. My heart will have a constant emptiness of where your life should have been. It will have an ache that will never go away. I love you. Mom"
"When you left this earth, a place was emptied on this planet that can never be filled again. My heart will have a constant emptiness of where your life should have been. It will have an ache that will never go away. I love you. Mom"