Leonard Seeber, of Connecticut, and Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Connecticut, died peacefully at his Storrs home Dec. 15.
Revered by his students, cherished by his friends, and admired by the community, he leaves behind a loving family: wife, Jane Seeber; sons, Chris Seeber of Charleston, R.I. and Jon Seeber, daughter-in-law, Elaine; and granddaughter, Ainslie of Pawcatuck, Conn.
Born in 1924, Seeber studied piano at Hartt College of Music and made his professional debut at 13 with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. His teachers included Moshe Paranov, Harold Bauer, and Maxim Shapiro.
Following service in the U.S. Navy Chaplains Corps, Seeber completed his studies and began a career of performance and teaching, in addition to solo recitals, concerto appearances with orchestras, two-piano concerts with Raymond Hanson, and chamber performances. Seeber’s interest in 20th Century American music led to numerous festival concerts, presentations at college campuses, and appearances on radio and TV.
Active in professional organizations, Seeber served as president of the Connecticut State Music Teachers Association. He taught at Hartt College of Music for 10 years before joining the faculty at the University of Connecticut, from which he retired in 1988. He continued to delight audiences, giving benefit concerts in Connecticut and Maine, and performance/lectures at the Center for Learning in Retirement.
Many community groups enjoyed his service and leadership: the Mansfield Historical Society, Mansfield Senior Center, The Eagleville Fire Department, and the Natchaug Ornithological Society. He was twice president of Joshua s Tract Conservation and Historic Trust and served on their Board of Trustees for many years.
In addition to a lifelong interest in birds, he loved sailing his classic Cambridge Cadet, Bluewin along the New England coast. He and his wife traveled widely, but enjoyed no place more than their summer cabin on Muscongus Bay in Waldoboro.
Memorial service 2:30 p.m., Wed., Jan. 2 at the Storrs Congregational Church, 2 N. Eagleville Rd., Storrs, Conn.
Contributions in his name can be made to Joshua’s Trust, P.O. Box 4, Mansfield, CT 06250 or to any community organization.
For online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com
