Bruce A. Seiger of Easthampton, formerly Newburyport, died in the presence of his family Aug. 21, 2004, at his home, from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 57.
He was born Jan. 7, 1947, in Coupeville to Herman and Pearl (Bowers) Seiger. He was a graduate of Coupeville High School where he participated in band, tennis, football and baseball, winning numerous awards. In 1963, he was selected by the American Legion to be Boy State Representative. He was a member of the National Honor Society and valedictorian of the Class of 1965. He received a scholarship from Harvard University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1969.
During his college summers, he was employed by Texaco Oil Refinery and the Whidbey Island Bank. After graduating from Harvard University, Mr. Seiger served 18 months as a toxicologist in Guyana.
Upon returning from Guyana, he taught at the Darrow School in New York.
He was married in 1971 to Ruth M. King, who predeceased him. They lived in Newburyport, where he taught at Newburyport High School and coached the girls tennis team for 10 years. He received two masters degrees from Salem State College, in chemistry and in physics.
In 1983, Mr. Seiger joined the teaching staff at Wellesley High School, where he taught physics and chemistry and coached the girls tennis team. His hands-on courses in design and technology were particularly popular. In 2001, Mr. Seiger received another master’s degree in technology from Fitchburg State College and became an adjunct professor at the college. He had an avid interest in solar power and associated technology.
Mr. Seiger was very active in the Technology and Education Research Center and the Concord Consortium. He was chairman of IEEE Robotics and Automation Society. His students won first place in the Boston Regional Botball Competition and third in national competition.
He is survived by his wife, Norah Burns-Seiger, who he married in July 2001. Besides his wife, Mr. Seiger is survived by his parents, Herman and Pearl Seiger, his son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Keirsten Seiger of Westford; his stepsons and their wives, John and Laura Burns of Holliston and Paul and Tara Burns; and two step-grandchildren, Rowen and Patrick Burns of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
Mr. Seiger’s wake took place at Doherty Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 27. There was a Funeral Mass at St. Andrews’s Episcopal Church Aug. 28.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wellesley Public School-Bruce A. Seiger Memorial Scholarship Fund and mailed to Wellesley Public Schools, c/o Kathy Loring, 40 Kingsbury St., Wellesley, MA 02481-4827.