Dr. William Tripler Seed, 83, of Vero Beach, passed away on June 3, 2014.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Dorsey Smith; son, William T. Seed, Jr.; daughter, Stephanie W. Seed; their mother, Barbara Buchanan Seed; stepchildren Nelson Smith, and Betsy Smith Starratt; grandchildren, Cameron, Elle and Kenley; brother, Peter Seed; sister, Eva Auchincloss; cousins, George Matthews, William Matthews and G.F. Robert Hanke; and by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Eva and Allen Seed, Jr; a brother Allen Hartley Seed, III; and Aunt, Jean Flagler Matthews.
Born Nov. 17, 1930, in New York City, Dr. Seed spent his formative years in Minneapolis, Minn., where he attended the Blake School. He graduated from The Chaote School and from Williams College, where he was a member of the Lambda Chapter of St. Anthony Hall.
While at Williams College, Dr. Seed enrolled in the U.S. Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduation, and as a commissioned officer, he was assigned to active duty at the Ernest Harmon Air Force Base in St. Anthony, Newfoundland, where he met Dr. Gordon Thomas, the Director of the Grenfell Mission. It was Dr. Thomas’s influence that directed Dr. Seed towards his life-long dedication in the field of pediatric medicine.
Dr. Seed entered Cornell Medical School in 1958, earning his medical degree in 1962. He completed his internship and residencies at The New York Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident of Pediatrics.
Dr. Seed entered private practice in New York City, retiring in 2001. He also served as an associate attending pediatrician at The New York Hospital and a Clinical Associate Professor at The Cornell Medical College.
New York Magazine recognized Dr. Seed as one of New York’s top pediatricians.
Dr. Seed was a man graced with a keen interest in life, as well as an abiding dedication to the well-being of others. He was affectionately known as “Doc.”
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday June 14, St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Vero Beach with Rev. Michael Goldberg officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
