Dr. Seymour was known to his Wabash students as "Dad Thad." It was an appellation of honor and love. Thad inspired this recognition from his students by being larger than life, always encouraging and enthusiastic, laughing and conjuring on a frequent basis. When I heard he had passed away and the service celebrating his life was in my domicile state, I knew I needed to attend. As it turned out, I was honored to represent many fellow Wabash alums who didn't have the good fortune to be living in Florida at the time. The Celebration had a big impact on me, almost as much as Thad had when he served as our President during my years at Wabash from 1972 - 1976.
This is what I wrote to my Wabash fraternity brothers:
The moment I saw that the service was scheduled, I put it in my calendar, knowing I'd kick myself if I missed the opportunity. I won't repeat Gumby's letter as it certainly reflects my feeling for Dad Thad and I'm confident his letter to Polly is highly representative of your thoughts as well. With those thoughts and feelings, I had to attend. Soon after, I was encouraged by Mike and Dick to attend, so it was clear that I was on the right track.
Thanks to Mike's contact with the gracious Lorrie Kyle, PhD, of Rollins' President Cornwell's office, I was offered a reserved seat just behind the family pews, with the Rollins' trustees. Upon arrival at Knowles Chapel, the ushers, learning I was from Wabash, immediately brought me forward to my seat with a wonderful view of the large portrait of Thad.
At the end of the service, Rev. Katrina Jenkins alerted the congregation to a "special" tribute for everyone as we exited the chapel for the walk to the reception in a nearby campus building. A few minutes later as family, friends and admirers mingled outside, a small band began playing a soft, slow funerary dirge. Suddenly the dixieland band broke into the celebratory music they are know for and a happy crowd followed the band down the street to the reception. I was guilty of not dancing as they would have in New Orleans, but fortunately a 5 year old youngster leading the parishioners was in full swing dancing behind the band! Sadly, I did not get a photo, as I know you would have enjoyed it as much as I did. The dixieland funeral parade was certainly a Celebration of Life that Thad would have enjoyed, and I definitely did! I did get a video of the band playing outside.
At the reception, I wore my white Wabash hat sporting a bright red "W". During the next couple hours of the reception, I asked several people, including President Cornwell, if they knew Dr. Kyle and could direct me to her as I wanted to thank her for providing me a wonderful spot for the service. President Cornwell also repeated his awareness of Thad's positive recollections about his experience with Wabash students.
As I toured the floor, many people smiled, nodded and asked me if I was from Wabash. Several stopped me for a chat, expressing how happy they were to see Wabash represented. Each of them learned that all of us were thrilled that Lorrie provided the link to the Celebration of Life and I assured them that a host of Wabash men and their families had watched the streaming all across the nation.
A particularly noteworthy conversation was with the husband of the late Mary (Thad & Polly's daughter). He saw my hat and made a point of introducing himself and let me know how much Thad and family talked about Wabash and Thad's time there. This from a man who never knew the family until some years after they left C'ville. Clearly, Thad was a Wabash man for life. At the service, Thad's granddaughter, Mary's niece, read a poem written by her Aunt Mary (52:05 in the video).
For the service I was seated next to Professor Melissa Butler, who is also retired and living in Florida. We spoke a bit before the service, then again briefly at the beginning of the reception before she left for her three hour drive home. At the reception I noticed a gentleman wearing a white sweater with a scarlet "W" emblazoned on it. When we introduced ourselves, I learned he was Fred Avant '72 and wife. He and his wife, living in C'ville at the time, had served as baby sitters for Thad and Polly.
As it seemed I was not intended to find Dr. Kyle, I reluctantly departed the reception and began walking back to the car. Almost a block from the reception I thought I heard my name and turned to see a fit and smiling white haired woman call "Wabash!" It was the most helpful Lorrie Kyle! She had heard from several folks that a white hatted gent from Wabash was looking for her. We were both walking towards Knowles Chapel (I was parked just beyond) and chatted about the service, reception and Thad. I thanked her and made certain she understood how grateful all of us were that she had provided the streaming link and especially that so many of my brethren were watching across the country. She was pleased to hear that Thad had such a positive impact on so many of us, those many years ago.
I missed seeing you guys at Thad's Celebration of Life, but I knew you were all there in spirit.
Thank you for being there with me. It was a sad, yet glorious Celebration.
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