The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Warren P. Seaward, age 91, passed away March 17. He left to rejoin Nancy, his wife of 62 years, and celebrate St. Patrick's Day together once again. Warren's life was defined by his love for his family, his sense of duty, his great love of the outdoors, a heart for community service, and his mischievous sense of humor.

Born in Melrose, Massachusetts, to Reverend Carl and Rachel Seaward, Warren spent his childhood summers working at the family's summer camp in New Hampshire. Here, with his brother Carl, and sister, Carol, they helped provide a unique outdoor experience for underprivileged, inner-city youths. This included collecting sap and making maple syrup, growing and harvesting a victory garden, all of which the children were able to take home at the end of the summer.

In 1951, Warren attended the University of Maine in Orono, served two years in the U.S. Army/7th Cavalry, then returned to Maine to graduate with a degree in Forestry. Upon returning to the University, he met Nancy C. Burnham.

In 1959, they married and traveled together to Washington State where Warren began his 28-year career with the U.S. Forest Service. Settling in Quilcene, Washington, Warren quickly became involved in the local community and was instrumental in building the Quilcene Volunteer Fire Department. It was during his time in the Olympic National Forest that daughters, Christine and Linda, were born. In 1968, Warren transferred to the Mt. Hood National Forest, Ripplebrook, Oregon, and then moved to the Deschutes National Forest, Sisters, in 1978. He retired in 1986. Never one to be idle, Warren began a part-time job with Black Butte Ranch maintenance, and worked there until he completely retired in 2002.

Always avid Nordic skiers, Warren and Nancy lamented the lack of designated Nordic ski trails available in the Sisters area, and in the 1980s, partnering with the Sisters Ranger District, designed and developed the Nancy and Warren Nordic Trails located near the Three Creek Sno Park. They made many happy memories skiing up and down those trails.

Warren was proud to be a Life Member of the Kiwanis Club of Sisters. Since joining in 1979, he was very involved in the Rodeo Buckaroo Breakfast, Highway Clean up, Hole in One Golf tournament, hanging quilts for Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, and many other community activities. He was particularly proud to be the sponsor of the first woman to become a member of the Sisters Kiwanis Club.

In 2002, Warren and Nancy began spending their winters on the sunny beaches of Sanibel, Florida. His community service continued there when he helped create "The Crowbars," a group of volunteers dedicated to the building and maintenance of animal enclosures for the local wildlife rehabilitation facility known as CROW.

Warren always had a project going. He would make life-size wood animal cut-outs that can still be seen around the neighborhood, built amazing sculptures out of seashells, and created over 60 beautiful cross-stitch works of art. In recent years he became a master of jigsaw puzzles, finishing his final 1000-piece puzzle just days before he passed.

Warren is survived by his older brother Carl Seaward; daughters Christine Brophy and Linda Bafford (Robert Hennings); grandson Seth Bafford (Krystal); granddaughter Kala Bafford; and great-grandchildren, Zoee, Jayden, Sienna, Grace, and Jonathan.

A family celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Sisters Kiwanis Community Service Foundation, PO Box 1296, Sisters, OR 97759 or Furry Friends Foundation, PO Box 1175, Sisters, OR 97759.