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Hundreds returned to campus on Saturday, March 31, to honor former teacher, coach, dorm parent, and friend Bill Seal, who died on Monday, March 26.

View the video of the service.

The following remembrances were submitted by alumni and friends.

John Thomas '68 and former Dean of Students

Last year when we learned that Bill and Cheryl were retiring, it was hard to imagine McDonogh without them. Whenever we were able to get back to McDonogh, a visit with the Seals was always a key part of our time there. This latest news only makes that feeling of loss more pronounced and difficult. Emily and I started work at McDonogh in 1972, the same year as the Seals … the McMillans, John Hedeman, and a number of other great folks. Bill and I worked very closely together for many years in a number of roles. As houseparents, we worked together in the dorms and even in the Dean of Students Office prior to our moving to Texas. In coaching, I served as his Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach for over a decade. I always found his sense of humor, his work ethic, attention to detail, and his sheer love of soccer amazing. Bill took the game seriously but he also knew you had to have fun if it was going to work well. We had tremendous teams over those exciting years, filled with remarkable athletes who loved the game as well. Under Bill's leadership we had season after season where we would all come together as a team and would end the season wishing we could keep it going "just a bit longer." I can remember key games and even major moments in specific games. There were some outstanding championships and some powerful images that stick with you. I can see him shaking his head and throwing his hands up at a questionable call, and I can see him talking with players as they would either come off the field or be heading into the game. I remember Bill and I talking with Des Corcoran in the very early 70s, who was then the Head Coach, about starting a pre-season camp for soccer. There had never been one before. We got the go ahead and planned the two week pre-season schedule. They finally cut the field just a few days before we were to start because the grass had grown long and tall over the summer. It looked like hay out there. Bill and I took rakes and spent a day "clearing" the field so we could have it ready for everyone. Soccer has grown into an impressive power in the Baltimore area and on the national scene. Bill played an enormous role in setting the foundation for that success. And I know he was very, very proud of Jonathan's tremendous success as a coach and leader at Gilman.

Bill and Cheryl were a "team" and one of McDonogh's great “campus families." Bill loved his family and made everyone he met feel that they were part of his extended family. He was super as a teacher, coach, parent, house parent, and friend … at all levels. He was caring, direct, and engaged easily with people. Over the years, his influence at McDonogh grew and his legacy will live on in all of us. He will be missed. Emily and I will keep Cheryl and Jonathan in our thoughts and prayers.

LeRoy Katz '76

Tough year for McDonogh with this loss and the loss of Ray Oliver. I would affirm your comment about the McDonogh Family and their care for each other.

Rudolph Brown, Jr. '79

Mr. Seal was a strong, focused leader that I remember as one of the model mentors I met at McDonogh. It seems that we are losing the foundation educators of my generation. The blessing is the enormous circle of families whose lives they enriched. Peace to Mr. Seal.

John Doub '79

McDonogh had some fantastic coaches, but Coach Seal is my all-time #1! (includes sport at any level). He constructed a special experience for a group of young guys as we learned and developed with him on both the JV and varsity soccer teams in the late 70s.

While he led us to two championships, more than anything, we cherish the fun outings and positive memories we have of our teammates, our supportive parents, and our favorite coach. Coach Seal inspired each one of us to play well above our skill level while discovering unique ways to achieve success. He provided a well-balanced dose of discipline and encouragement, always seasoned by quick sarcastic humor. It may 'only' be a high school sport, but our experience has left me with wonderful memories and close friendships for a lifetime.

Bill's lessons have already and will continue to be passed onto so many others. During this difficult time we're thinking of his family and the McDonogh community.

Mark Helliwell, non-grad alumnus '80

I attended McDonogh School in the mid 70s and lived on campus. Mr. Seal was the dorm parent for two of my years there. One evening when I was probably 14 years old I was unable to sleep with terrible stomach cramps. The infirmary was closed and not knowing where else to turn, I knocked on the Seals door at 2:30 a.m. In tears, I told him him what I was feeling, he stayed awake with me in his living room, as his wife went back to sleep. He stayed awake with me for probably close to an hour as the pain eased and I was able to return to my room. I am sure he did similar things for many McDonogh kids over the years.

He coached me in soccer and lacrosse and was always a smart, positive influence. The dorm atmosphere was a great environment when I was there, due in part to Mr. Seal. My best wishes go to his family. He is a loss to the McDonogh family. I am very sad to hear of his passing.

Michael Walker '80

My God! We were just talking about him at our luncheon. He was my first and favorite dorm parent. I am so very sad but very happy to have known him. Please extend my deepest condolences to his family for me.

Al Folgueras '81

I remember Mr. Seal, but cannot remember what class he instructed. I started at McDonogh in 1972, and graduated in 1981. My recollections are entirely favorable. Sorry to hear it.

Scott Bradley '82

One by one our friends are gone. Mr. Seal was the assistant wrestling coach under Dan Blakenger when I wrestled at McD. Mr. Seal had a great way about him. He was a guy you could turn to when you were cutting weight and miserable. Mr. Seal understood and somehow he managed to make it all funny. He meant a lot to me and I will miss him very much.

William Yerman '82

Wonderful person. I had Mr. Seal for 3rd grade science in 1973. He loved teaching and he loved McDonogh. I will always remember him as a kind, compassionate person. He will be missed.

Scott Hartlaub '83

I am deeply saddened to learn of Mr. Seal’s passing. I’m sure I am one of many who were deeply touched by having the pleasure of knowing him in our lives. I will never forget him and everything he taught me in the formative years of my life.

Many, many years ago, in his lower school shop class some of us boys started playing with broken coping saw blades. We would discretely cut our orange McDonogh pencils into small nubs. We thought we were slick. I say discretely, but Mr. Seal was the wiser man among mischievous boys and one rainy day when the bell rang and shop class was over, he called me aside. “Scott, would you want me to tell your father what you were doing?” (My father was the auto shop foreman at McDonogh and Mr. Seal knew that my dad would not tolerate such behavior). Mr. Seal made his point and my coping saw vs. pencil days were over! To my knowledge, he never told Dad. He found about it later, but by me and not Mr. Seal. To this day, in my basement workshop, whenever I look at the pegboard and see my own coping saw, I think about Mr. Seal. Those were wonderful days for me and mostly I believe it was because of good, caring teachers like Mr. Seal.

God bless the Seal family in their time of loss.

Kyle Potocki '83

Bill had several very positive impacts upon my life. Between my junior and senior years, Bill hired me as a camp counselor at Camp DeWitt in New Hampshire. This turned out to be one of the greatest summers of my life. I was away from home, I had responsibilities as a camp counselor, I had a chance to live in an absolutely beautiful location and enjoy a whole new summer experience. One of my roles as camp counselor was coaching the 12-year-old soccer team. Wow what an experience! The kids on that team, which included Jon Seal, were outstanding because of their sheer individual talent. We blew away the other camps. Playing for the counselor team, I had my first taste of a retired English professional soccer player and from this drubbing I gained an appreciation of just how skilled top level players really are.

This summer was perfect in all aspects except one, I severely sprained my ankle during the last week of camp. Upon returning from New Hampshire, our McDonogh summer soccer camp started and our team had a really strong chance at winning the conference. Being my senior year I really wanted to play. So to overcome my injury I had our trainer tape me before every practice, popped a bunch of aspirin (unknown to Bill) and toughed it out. Unfortunately, while the team was very successful, I became very frustrated from my injury and a lack of playing time. Being a young man, I was unsure on how to approach the coaching staff to discuss what was going on and just became irritable. Bill recognized this and held me after practice one day to talk it out. We had a great conversation and Bill told me that he did not substitute the position I competed for very often, but if there was another position that I would like to try, he would give me some playing time. I asked to try forward, and Bill gave me time at that position.

I look back to that season with great fondness. Our team won the MSA B Conference Championship and there is a banner in the Field House showing this achievement. While not a starter, I had a chance to play against one of the best starting 11 in the entire state of Maryland and felt that my contribution to the team was to provide competition at our practices. In scrimmages I often marked Colin Beckles, a truly special soccer player, one of our captains and who helped me to develop as a player. Bill even put me in the last five minutes of the Conference Championship Game, an experience that the vast majority of all high school soccer players dream about.

I continued to play and coach soccer for many years. Having played on a Conference Championship team gave me tremendous confidence. My coaching style grew out of the drills and tactics that I learned at McDonogh under Bill. I implemented his triple diamond formation successfully to multiple state championships. Another rule that I implemented as a coach was that if a player had an issue then it was resolved between player and coach, and not coach and parent. After all you never know when you might just want to have that chat with your high school, college, or professional coach.

Bill, thank you for the great summer job. Thank you for talking to me when I needed it. Thank you for the five minutes in the Championship. Thank you also for starting my coaching experience, educating me, and keeping me interested in a game that I have loved with great passion over the past 40 years. I cannot believe your song is gone so soon - may you find some good mates to kick around with in the hereafter.

Jeff Sindler '83

My memories of Bill Seal, some of which were mentioned by various speakers on Saturday: Lower School shop class: Bill took over for the venerable Mr. Westy (Westerburg). Shop was an industrial school holdover in the 70s, and the little boys broke an unfathomable number of coping saw blades, which Mr. Seal cheerfully replaced. Camp Red Eagle: Bill coached a wrestling clinic. Often it was blazing hot, and Bill would circle us up in the corner, on the ancient gray mats, down in the wrestling room, and we'd lean against the beige, canvas, horse-hair filled wall mats and listed to Bill tell shaggy dog jokes, one after another, such as 'The Beer that Made Milt Famey Walk Us' and many others. Dorms: When I was hired on as an alumni officer, coach, teacher, and dorm parent, Bill and Cheryl became Head Dorm Parents and were instrumental in seeing boarding through some challenging times. For one, the numbers of boarders was down and the program nearly became extinct. Several of the international students we had been among were our only seven-day boarders, and they could be very lonely. The Seals really dealt with a lot of these issues. Class Dean: Bill was a fixture in the bowels of the Allan basement where few other teachers would be seen of their own free will. He had a light touch but commanded respect to ensure that behavior remained decent. I was not surprised when eventually an office for Bill was created downstairs! Wrestling coach: Bill was always the lighter touch/good cop to the head varsity coach's bad cop: Dan Blakinger, Henry Hooper, Rob Smoot were all intense coaches. Bill could keep it light, and sometimes pick up the pieces of a fractured ego, in addition to giving the lightweights a fun drill partner ... .

Dawn Loughborough '85

My family was very fond of Coach Seal. My brother, Casey, was always very proud that Bill hung a wall photo in his office of a soccer team that happened to be the year he was team captain, and the Seals got my brother, Kyle, his first summer jobs at Camp Dewitt in NH. This is indeed very sad news.

Jerry Bias '86

My deepest sympathies go out to the Seal and McDonogh Family. Bill Seal was nothing short of a gemstone in McDonogh’s foundation. He was a life coach. What he taught transcended beyond the classroom. He instilled in students and athletes something they could take with them well beyond the oaks of McDonogh. I was fortunate to know him. He was a man of honor, integrity and character, and made an indelible impact on many lives including mine.

Colleen Anderson '87

Mr. Seal was a wonderful example of the leadership that makes McDonogh a great place to be a part of. He was both my dorm parent, advisor, and after graduating from McDonogh, a mentor during graduate school. I very much appreciated his honest feedback and lighthearted approach to everything. My deepest sympathies to Mrs. Seal and Jon on their loss. He will be greatly missed.

Ejaz Shimam '87

This is truly very sad. Mr. Seal and the Seal family were a daily part of my life during my three-year stay in the dorms at McDonogh. Seems like a great many of our teachers are passing away. It appears that the students are now becoming teachers and soon we too will be replaced by our students. I hope we are as good teachers as teachers before us.

Jodi Prettyman Isaacs '88

Looking through the posted pictures of Mr. Seal brings back so many wonderful memories. Mr. and Mrs. Seal were like second parents to me. Their guidance, love, and support made my years at McDonogh very special. Mr. Seal was the quintessential teacher, mentor, coach, and friend. He did his best to keep me out of trouble, which was no easy task! A true Mcdonogh legend! My heart goes out to Mrs. Seal and Jon.

Bridget Collins '90, history teacher, coach

My earliest memory of Bill was as my Senior Class Dean. His kind and even-tempered presence was exactly what the Class of 1990 needed to keep us on the right path. But it was as a colleague that I came to appreciate Bill the most. Sitting in the History Office and sharing ideas for lessons in World History became a daily tradition. I valued his wisdom so much. However, we never kept our discussions to history alone. Bill would share advice as only a father could about retirement savings, wise investing, reading suggestions, and the best flavor of Greek yogurt (Chobani's Pineapple). My favorite times were times spent in laughter, reminiscing about old TV shows like the Mary Tyler Moore Show (he loved the episode where they find themselves at a funeral for a clown and Mary gives the eulogy). We'd find ourselves laughing til we cried. It is hard to think of him without seeing his smile and hearing his laughter. His life was a gift to thousands of students and teachers. He will be missed so much!

Jennie Osborne Burke '90

I was sharing a story about Mr. Seal with a McDonogh student, just two days before his sudden passing. This student had recently suffered a setback in life, and I wanted to reach out to her and support her. I told her about a time that I had tried out for a play, and did NOT get the lead part (which I was really hoping for). I was devastated, and I didn't know why. I liked the person that took the part, very much. I didn't feel jealous … I didn't know what I felt. Mr. Seal caught me in the hallway and said, "Jennie!" I looked up with red rimmed eyes and a mournful face. Mr. Seal said, "Jennnnie. Come on in … ." as I somberly walked into his office.

Looking back now, I could be embarrassed about the way that I carried on, crying, like that at 17. Mr. Seal and I didn't even talk, really. I just said, "I'm really upset about the play and that I didn't get the part." And then I cried, and cried, and cried. I then knew what the feeling was, and it was one that I did not like. Failure. In Mr. Seal's office, I was allowed to sit there, and be with my failure, without any kind of judgment. There was no advice offered - just a box a Kleenex, some candy, and eventual hug and some brief, assuring words that "everything would be alright." Whatever words I did say, were met with a nod of agreement.

How wonderful in life to know a man who could meet you where you were feeling and just keep you company there.

Bren Davies '90

I have many fond memories of Mr. Seal -- as a middle school science student, as a struggling JV and then Varsity wrestler under Coach Seal's tutelage, and most poignantly, as a Rollins Luetkemeyer boarder my senior year of 1989-90, when I grew to know him and his wife very well within the context of them being my dorm parents.

I am deeply saddened to know that Bill Seal will not be around for me to reminisce with at future McDonogh alumni events. I have always enjoyed catching up on each others' lives and families, and it is always a beautiful thing to have such a vibrant connection to the past as the teacher-student or coach-athlete or dorm parent-boarder relationship.

When I think of Bill Seal, I will always smile, as for me he embodied everything that was and is McDonogh. On a personal note, I will continue to chuckle when I remember how he broke one of my ribs while demonstrating a particularly aggressive version of "the cradle" during a junior year wrestling practice -- before I had added any muscle to my (at the time) very thin frame.

Please give the Seal family my deepest sympathies for their loss. Mr. Seal was a great man and will be missed!

Jeremy Schroeder '90

Just heard the news. Sad day. I entered McDonogh in 1980 in Mrs. Robbins’ third grade class and promptly got lost on my first day and found myself wandering outside Mr. Seal’s science room, the only room I remembered from my tour of the school because the science lab had all the cool stuff in it, and he led me upstairs to the right room. I remember walks around the Lower School woods with his science class. Eight years later as a junior, Coach Seal led us to the MSA Conference Boys’ Soccer Championship and I was honored to captain the team the next year under his management. I remember all my coaches from my earliest memories in recreation leagues through intercollegiate lacrosse, and Bill Seal’s memory sits atop a long list of superb teachers and mentors. I know the McDonogh family will remember him much the way that I do. And I know that Mrs. Seal and Jon know how great a man they had for a husband and father. Rest in peace, Coach.

Sean Corcoran '91

It was with great sadness that I heard of Bill’s passing today. He was one of McDonogh’s truly inspiring educators of this past generation who touched the lives of so many people in so many ways. Growing up on the campus, Mr. and Mrs. Seal were just two of the many surrogate parents for us “campus kids,” opening up their house to us for a cool drink after a game of soccer in the summer or for a hot chocolate after sledding behind the dorms during a snow day in the winter. Of course my earliest memories of Mr. Seal would not be complete without a mental image of him with his “giant” dog, Tigger. Regular warnings from my father, “Tread carefully; we are entering Tigger Poo Country,” often punctuated our morning walks down to school behind the back of the old South Hall (present Keelty).

It was only this weekend when discussing science education at primary school level with a mate of mine, that I shared my fond memories of Mr. Seal. As our Lower School science teacher, he opened up our eyes to the world around us, often through the lens of a microscope or with a butterfly net in hand bounding through the fields behind the Lower School.

And for many of us, we will remember Coach Seal. Windbreaker clad. Stomping on the sideline. Shouting words of encouragement. Or just giving us a friendly pat on the back for a job well done. His dry wit, big smile, captivating stories, and care for others will be greatly missed. Cheryl and Jon, I extend my deepest sympathies to you from the other side of the world.

Dominique Apollon '92

When the final whistle blew on the boys' soccer match against Archbishop Curley, I let out a sigh of relief. I was co-captain of Coach Seal's under-performing 1991 side, and against all odds, we had overcome a 1-4 halftime score line, to tie the away match 4-4 against the runaway conference leaders in front of their notoriously hostile crowd. Had we lost this match late in my senior season, we would have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs a year after reaching the state semifinals, and I would have been psychologically devastated. After playing no small part in our come-from-behind result, I walked back physically and emotionally drained to the sideline, where Coach Seal gathered the team for his post-match comments in the cold rain. As he spoke, silent tears streamed down my face. Noticing my state, he slowly walked by my side as he continued his speech, and put his arm across my back as I hunched over, trying to catch my breath from the wave of emotions. It was exactly what I needed. Looking back now twenty years later, it would be easy for many to say it was "only a game," but to me, the soccer pitch was one of the only places in the world where I felt like I belonged. Not where I felt comfortable, not merely a place where I was happy-a place were I BELONGED-both in triumphs and in defeats. Coach Seal genuinely understood how much the sport meant to me -- and why -- better than any other adult at the time, and that was a tremendous, vital support for me during a challenging time in my family life. It's funny how the brain works, because I can still feel the touch of his hand at that moment, and along with his laugh and infectious wit, it's how I'll always remember him. Thanks for all the love, laughter, support, and belief you gave me, Coach Seal. Their value to a young man was immeasurable.

Casey Potocki '93

As a dirty dozen student at McDonogh, Bill was a part of my life from lower school through graduating from upper school. In Lower School, he imbued a lifelong interest in science by making it fun and inquisitive. The butterfly catching and blindfolded smell tests were two of my favorite memories in Lower School.

As I matured and was eventually lucky enough to play soccer in college, Bill was the first person who helped me to realize my potential and gain confidence in myself in high school. I remember as a freshman wondering when I would be cut from the varsity soccer tryouts. On the last day of cuts, I stayed on the varsity field long after practice, wondering when Mr. Seal would tell me I would be playing with JV, but he never did. I enjoyed four years of training under Coach Seal and have also been coaching soccer myself, in part because of the fun that Bill created during the fall season, whether it was practicing in the muddied soccer goal closest to the tennis courts and strategizing over how to use that mud puddle to defeat an opponent in our next home game, or running hills with the team to get in shape. Even the hard parts of practice seemed fun with Coach Seal around.

Equally as important, I enjoyed taking a year of psychology class with Bill. His sense of humor and integrity were always attractive traits that I wanted to be around, and he even inspired me to take several psychology classes in college.

As a dean of the senior students, I had a few run-ins with Mr. Seal through my friends. The Owings Mills Mall had just been built when I was in high school, and it was a favorite spot for students to drive off campus and have an extra long lunch, to the detriment of their afternoon classes. It was always fun to see who would be rolling in late for psychology class. Halfway through a lecture on the brain, or psychological theory, Bill would smile and poke his head out the classroom window from time to time and say "What are you doing out in the parking lot? Get in here, you're missing class!" to some errant student who couldn't figure out whether it was better to suffer the embarrassment of coming to class late, with the mall's food court as an excuse, or just go ahead and skip the entire class! Mr. Seal was always able to handle issues with humor and a sense of what he needed to do to instill good values in the students when they needed a guiding hand.

As an adult, I have a small handful of people who I think of when I am in a situation where I am struggling to find the answers in life. I cannot tell you how many times I have thought to myself, "how would Mr. Seal handle this?" when I'm pressed for an answer to one of life's questions. His life and memory will stay with me even though he has passed, and I am honored to maybe even suggest that a part of his personality has rubbed off on me due to his wonderful influence on my life as a child.

Peggy Mafori Wolf '93

Mr. Seal was such a treasure! How blessed McDonogh was to have him for so many years. I had him for second grade science (how could I ever forget the "Bloodhound Club?")and for twelfth grade psychology, but he was there for all of the years in between--ever-present and always encouraging. Mr. Seal, you are loved and will be missed.

Jared Glasser '94

That’s so tragic. I literally saw him and Mrs. Seal last month at Wegmans. After graduating in 1994, he still knew my name. A very sad loss.

Evanthe Sophocleus Salisbury '94

What a tragedy; the world has lost a great man too early. At least McDonogh got to love and adore him for so many years.

Some of my favorite memories of Mr. Seal were of lower school science. We spent countless hours running around trying to catch butterflies with nets on spring days, trying to scare morning doves so that they would make their call upon taking flight ... trying to create circuits with a battery, switches, and mini lights ... trying to guess what the smell was in the bottle with our eyes shut ... We were bad at all of it, and Mr. Seal had the best sense of humor about it all.

I also had the pleasure of taking his psychology class when I was a senior. I remember sitting in his class distracted about an upcoming lacrosse game that day because it was pouring rain outside, and he looked at me, knowing I was distracted about the game conditions and said, "It's not like you're going to be playing water polo out there."

He was always so genuine and patient with us. And he had a view of high school life that was just twisted enough for high schoolers to know that he was the coolest school administrator on the planet. As a side note, a picture on the memorial page on McD's site... 4th row, far right picture, is of my classmates (class of 1994), Tim Stonesifer (closest to the camera in the front row), then Robert Tankin. Behind Robert is Steven Shin.

My deepest sympathies to Mrs. Seal ... my prefirst and fourth Grade teacher, and Jon, whom I never met, but always heard amazing things about his soccer career.

Brian Singer '95

Throughout my 12 years at McDonogh, I knew Mr. Seal as an educator, motivator, mentor, and a friend. There will never be another like him; he will be missed.

Ateet Ahuja '96

This is probably some of the worst news I have gotten in a long time. Mr. Seal was my favorite teacher in my entire career as a student whether I look over elementary, middle, high school, or even college. He was the reason I minored in psychology as he taught that to me in my senior year at McD. He was by far one of the nicest and most influential person in my life. Always full of life, full of laughter, there was no other way to characterize this great person. He will be sincerely missed and my heart goes out to his entire family, which includes his extended family at McD who I know miss him just as much.

Armondo Washington '96

I was sad just by reading the title of the email regarding Mr. Seal. Even after all these years since leaving McDonogh, I can still remember the casual and personable, yet wise and informative, way Mr. Seal would engage students and faculty. I admired Mr. Seal and consider myself a fan. May he rest in peace. Another McDonogh legend who has passed on, leaving us with very fond memories.

Chaitenya Razdan '01

This is really sad news. Mrs. Seal was my fourth grade teacher and one my favorite teachers in the whole world. Both of the Seals always welcomed us into their family and taught us so much. Mr. Seal was (and Mrs. Seal is) passionate not only about teaching, but also about McDonogh as a whole, and I could always count on the Seals to be there supporting us academically, athletically, through the arts, and extra curricularly. Mr. Seal will be missed but his presence will always be on the McDonogh campus.

Ashley Cole '02

I opened the email about Mr. Seal in shock and disbelief, how could he be gone? I feel like it was just yesterday that I could walk into his office to sign the sheet to go out for lunch as a senior. I have not been back to McDonogh much since I graduated in 2002, but of all the teachers and class deans I had there -- Mr. Seal was one I will never forgot.

My senior year I had him for psychology in addition to being the senior class dean. That same year I suffered a bad fall from my horse and was flown to shock trauma, and then spent over a month in the hospital. Every time Mr. Seal would see my mother or sister on campus, he would ask how I was doing. Even after I came back to school, he would still ask me how I was feeling.

His kindness and genuine caring nature will never be forgotten. He's still on McDonogh's campus; but instead of walking through the halls or being on the soccer field, he's watching over everyone from above.

Adam Reynolds '02

My sincerest sympathies to Bill's family.

Paris Gray '05

It’s hard to imagine a McDonogh without Mr. Seal. He was a glue guy. I got to know Mr. Seal well in the dorms. We would have many conversations walking back from dinner to the dorms. The conversations were very entertaining, but more importantly there was always a teachable moment. Even in humor, Mr. Seal had a life lesson to teach. Mr. Seal's stories, sweater vest, and bow ties will be missed greatly. To the Seal family, I'm truly sorry for your loss, but rest assured, he will live on forever through every life he touched. McDonogh has lost a great teacher and even a better man.

William Pepperman '09

I had Mr. Seal for Honors psychology senior year. He was one of my favorite teachers, always kind and friendly. Somehow, a running joke started where he and I would pretend to read each other's minds during class and in the halls, and always joke about what we were "saying" to each other telepathically. Even two years later coming back to campus, we would still "read minds." His wonderful sense of humor and ability to remember students made me feel special, and I truly miss him and am sorry to learn of his passing.

Mickey Deegan, Co-Director of Athletics

Bill was a wonderful man who loved kids and McDonogh! No matter where we were Bill and I always greeted each other with "Hi, Coach!” He was the ultimate coach who loved coaching soccer over the years. Bill also wore his coaching hat as the senior dean and helped young people get better at handling life's challenges. He was a wonderful listener and had a great sense of humor. Bill was very funny and kept a wonderful perspective on life ... he lived life to the fullest ... I still see him walking around campus getting his "walk" in and yet, Bill would stop and talk to anyone he saw on the road ... his laugh was infectious and his eyes were always focused on you! We will miss Coach Seal but we will remember him with deep affection each day here on the hill. God bless you, Cheryl and Jon, and know you both are in our prayers and thoughts!

Henry E. Hooper, MS faculty (1978 – 1980), development director (1981-1984), wrestling coach (1978 – 1984)

What a sad string of mournful events for McDonogh! First Ray Oliver and now Bill Seal. What would McDonogh wrestling be without these two men? Probably a mere shadow of itself.

I met Bill in 1978, when I first came to the McDonogh campus. He and his wife, Cheryl, lived in South Hall as dorm parents, and both taught in the Lower School. Their son, Jonathan, was a burgeoning student in the Lower School at the time. From my vantage point, Bill was the consummate lower school science teacher: he could do the “book-work” of course, but he much preferred going outside and getting his hands dirty. I recall seeing him many mornings and afternoons on walks with his students “on a science trip,” as children with butterfly nets and pond dipping nets, and goggles and notebooks and collection boxes would traipse across the grassy fields and into the woods nearby. He was preparing these mud luscious pre-scientists for Mr. Bob Seigman’s upper school land plot experiments.

Yes, Bill was a good teacher, the other alumni writers will attest to that skill. But Bill was also a calm and steady soccer coach, who had a string of very impressive seasons at the top of the league, even as Mike McMillan’s football and Des Corcoran’s cross-country teams lured away some of the best athletes.

During the winter, Bill continued his coaching as the assistant coach of the wrestling team. Bill has the unique distinction of coaching alongside a string of former Ivy League and ACC wrestlers, back to back to back and then some. We all tried to follow in Ray Oliver’s footsteps, but it was Bill’s shoes we could not fill. First came Tom Potts, who was a star at Princeton; then came Dan Blakinger, an All American from Harvard; next I arrived, a wrestler from Yale; and I was followed by Rob Smoot, who was a superb wrestler at Duke; and Pete Welch, a great wrestler from UNC. Bill Seal spent time with all of us. Bill knew the referees, the opposing coaches, the bus drivers, and the directions to all of the wrestling venues. He knew how to tape up an ankle or wrist, how to wipe down a mat, and how to be heard if needed.

For me, though, Bill Seal was more than a bridge among McDonogh coaches, he was a consistently wonderful influence on the team. As development director, there were days when I knew I would be late to practice: Bill was always there. He showed up at practices on time and took charge. He would get the wrestlers warmed up and practicing drills, which kept the team relatively injury-free during our six years together. He would dress daily in his McD Eagle sweats and roll around “breaking a heavy lather” with the light-weight wrestlers, who tussled with Bill at their own peril; his elbows were as fierce as his comb-over and his wit. During the season, he knew what to say during practice, dual meets and tournaments to keep the team balanced and focused. He pulled aside wrestlers who needed the one-on-one time, that only an watchful assistant can give. His guidance helped hone the skills of many of McDonogh’s MSA and National Prep champions. And Bill started bringing Jon into the wrestling room when he was in about the 3rd or 4th grade. Soon Jon started competing head-to-head with boys many years older than he; we knew a new era was dawning. Bill would give me that smile, and say, “The kid could be good.” Again Bill was right.

Bill also helped tremendously when in the early 1980s we had the fire in the McDonogh Field House. Bill helped gather some of the boarding students to pick-up and hoist the “smoke damaged but still somewhat usable wrestling mats” to the basement of the Allan Building, so that we could continue our winter practice routine and not miss a beat. Bill noticed that the buoyancy of the mats was not up to par and after a few practices he said that we could only avoid any serious knee, shoulder, or head injuries by finding other mats. I did not know what to do, until Bill suggested that we continue our wrestling practices at other schools, like his alma mater, Franklin High School. Without asking, Bill helped call around and arranged some “away practices” over the Christmas holidays at Franklin, Poly, Southeastern, St. Paul’s, and Mervo, which helped solidify our relationships with the other coaches of those strong programs and helped our team stay in good shape and build camaraderie. The Ray Oliver Wrestling Tournament was held at Gilman School that year, which is also a testament to the relationship that Bill Seal and the Ed Novak/Chip Giardina/Dutch Eyth, Athletic Directors, had forged with Chris Legg (wrestling coach), Reddy Finney (Headmaster), and Haswell Franklin (McDonogh AND Gilman parent) over the years.

His consistent guidance and sense of humor helped me in many ways. One personal quirk of Bill’s was his relatively high pitched voice; it could get pretty shrill. In coaching situations he had a whistle around his neck, but rarely used it. “I promised myself I would be quiet now that I am off the soccer field,” he would mutter, searching for his inside voice. Instead of disbelief or agitation, for example, Bill would act out his feelings. He would pantomime some exaggerated facial expressions, throw his arms in the air and rock back and forth, which said so much without saying a word. When the team was facing Mt. St. Joe or Gilman, the coaches were as nervous as the wrestlers, and Bill would cut the tension and give the boys and fellow coaches a good laugh in the process. Bill was self-deprecating as he made light of an old story he remembered. Somehow his dry humor would be the perfect antidote at the time. He had a wonderful self-assured confidence that helped steer the wrestling program over many years.

Fellow coaches like John Black, Dennis O’Brien, Doug Cooper, Rob Smoot, Joe Bakewell, and Pete Welch all benefited having Bill in the program. He was thoughtful and cared deeply about the boys. Since soccer, “was his thing,” I felt so fortunate to have Bill by my side in his “off- season.” His steady hand and sarcasm were perfect foils for the “too serious” coaching staff as a whole. He just had such a calming knack with others!

We are all saddened by the news of Bill Seal’s passing and we offer our sincere condolences to Cheryl and Jon and the rest of the McDonogh Family.

Thank you, Bill. We miss you.

Georgia Draucker, former employee

It’s impossible to look back on my McDonogh years without thinking of Bill and Cheryl. My first grade classroom was right across the hall from Bill’s science room, so I could probably fill a book with Bill Seal stories. The one I remember most happened shortly after I completed my student teaching at McD. I was asked to substitute for Bill one day. As he flashed that mischievous grin, he explained that he had a lesson planned for me that he was sure I’d really enjoy. When he returned the next day, I was almost deaf and shell-shocked since the “fun” lesson (which I had to teach five or six times that day) involved having the boys hit a tuning fork on the countertops to experience sound waves. To add insult to injury, part 2 of the lesson was to put the vibrating tuning fork in a pan of water which caused the water to fly out of the pan. So, besides having temporary hearing loss and a migraine, I also went home soaking wet. Ah — the Seal sense of humor ... In spite of the tuning fork affair, I will always remember Bill as an inspiring mentor to me as a new teacher and an outstanding role model for all of those students who were fortunate enough to have been taught or coached by him. To Cheryl and Jonathan — love and condolences — he was an amazing guy.

Kawase Family (Hiroki ,Yumi, Ken and Yuko) in Japan, alumni and alumni parents

We have so many good memories about Bill, who has kindly supported Hiroki and Yumi with warmest heart, through lectures, soccer, dormitory, McDonogh events, etc. Our heart has been always fulfilled with great appreciation and that will be continued forever, praying. Our heart will always be with you.

With greatest appreciation, in memory of Bill.