My father in law passed away in January and his death has left a void in the lives of many people. He hasn’t been forgotten and Friday was the kickoff of a lecture series in his memory, a fitting tribute to the work Seward did though his life. George Woodwell has been a friend of Seward’s since they were at Dartmouth together may years ago. Here is a summary of the event from the website.
Kickoff! Seward Weber Lecture Series: New Worlds
There is hardly a better way to celebrate Seward Weber's life than to extend his interests in human welfare into a vision of the future. That vision is dominated now by the climatic disruption which threatens the very roots of this civilization over the next decades. George Woodwell, Director Emeritus and Senior Scientist at Woods Hole Research Center, an organization which conducts research, identifies policies, and supports educational activities that advance the well-being of humans and of the environment will discuss this issue near and dear to Seward's heart. DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR ALL ABOUT IT. The trend is clear and the consequences devastating. But the trend is reversible. It requires a deliberate effort in developing a new world view and a new world. It will not be the same world fueled by a substitute for abundant fossil fuels. It will be a return to a solar-powered world with new technologies designed to protect the essential qualities of living systems globally, not just some, but all. The rules will come through science and through public recognition that there is no other way.
The bottom line recommendations were to reforest as much as possible and decrease our use of fossil fuels. I doubt many people would disagree with those recommendations but how to do it is much more controversial.
On Saturday we buried Seward’s ashes in a beautiful little country cemetery with a wonderful view of the mountains. The day was overcast until we got to the cemetery when the sun came out just for us, brilliant and beautiful. A short and touching ceremony at the gravesite was broken in a shocking and startling way when Sam toppled the footstone of a nearby grave. Appalled, but uncontrollable laughing followed which broke up the solemn occasion in a particularly memorable way.
Yes, of course we replaced the stone!
We all headed back to the house where we ate well and often, chatted and plotted, and generally enjoyed being together as a family.
We won’t forget you Seward.
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3 comments:
Well, it's good to hear that Sewards causes still go on in his name. The ceremony you describe sounds like something he would approve of, at least going by my impressions, though I didn't know him well.
Nice that Sam could contribute in his "own" way to the ceremony...lol
Hello Ann,
My wife and I stayed with Seward and Susan way back in 1988 through SERVAS, after which they visited us at our home in Australia. We remember staying at Seward's work retreat in the beautiful Mohonk Preserve (he actually trusted us with the key to get in without having even met us) before we moved on to Plainfield.
I was just browsing the web and entered his name to find out via your blog that sadly he had died back in 2007. Is Susan still alive and well? Please drop us a line on crowlands3314@bigpond.com. We would love to get in touch with either yourself or Susan.
In 1988, we were still three years away from having any children and now our 22 year old son is traveling in the USA down the east coast through SERVAS himself. Part of a new generation of travelers!
Your parents-in-law were wonderful people and we'd love to keep contact with their family.
Best wishes,
John and Susan Bell
John and Susan,
I tried to contact you but the email was returned. Is there a typo on the address? Susan is doing well and traveling and you can reach her at sbart21@comcast.net.
So nice to hear from you. Please contact me again.
Thanks,
Anne
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