William B. Seaver

William B. Seaver, age 100, of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, July 28, 2018. He was born in Doylestown, Ohio, son of the late Burleigh E. and Charlotte B. Seaver. He graduated from Doylestown High School in 1934, and Case School of Applied Science (now part of Case Western Reserve University) in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1938. He studied for a graduate degree at Daniel Gugenheim School of Aeronautics of New York University where he performed degree wind tunnel tests on fighter aircraft models and where he met Colonel Charles Lindbergh. He completed his graduate studies at Yale University and received his Master of Engineering Degree in 1940. During World War II, he supervised the first tests of experimental gas turbine engines at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. After the war, he became Associate Manager of Technical Operations for the Nuclear Energy for Propulsion of Aircraft project in Oak Ridge, Tenn., which established the feasibility of a nuclear powered long range bomber. He was employed by General Motors, between 1950 and 1961, as Project Engineer for development of the T56 turboprop engine for the Lockheed C-130 military aircraft, which are still in active use today. Beginning in 1961, he worked for General Electric, managing their T58 turbo shaft commercial engine program and in 1972 he became Manager, Power Generation Group, and then Manager, Business Planning and Market Research for the Industrial Gas Turbine Programs Dept. He was employed as an Engineering Management Consultant for Corporate Consulting Services from 1979 until his retirement from General Electric in 1983.
Bill enjoyed traveling the world. He was an accomplished sailor and was a member of the Black Rock Yacht Club, serving as Commodore in 1981, and was a former member of the Corinthian Yacht Club of Marblehead, Mass. Bill was a member and past trustee of the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, past trustee of the Boston Post Road Stage Co., and a member of Men's Investment Club, Poker Club and Luncheon Club. At Case Western Reserve University, he belonged to the Theta Tau Scholastic Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi Honorary Fraternity and Sigma XI (Excellence in Research) and Case Glee Club. He enjoyed classical and operatic music and was a former member of a barber shop quartet in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Bill leaves his beloved wife, Earlyne, and dog Molly, two sons and their wives, Leigh and Carol of Washington, D.C., and Douglas and Susan of Ft. Myers, Fl.; three grandchildren, Burleigh and wife Amy, Barton and wife Carrie Ann, and Matthew; three great grandchildren, Samuel, Nikolas and Alden; and two nieces, Jane Kane and Carol Boreman. Bill was predeceased by his first wife, Rebecca, and son Gregory.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Connecticut Audubon Society, 2325 Burr St., Fairfield, CT 06824, Fairfield Historical Society, 370 Beach Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824, or ASP, Engelman/Morgan Cup of Cold Water, Appalachia Service Project , 4523 Bristol Highway, Johnson City, TN 37601.
For information or to sign an online register, please visit www.spearmillerfuneralhome.com