On June 2, 2012, at home with his family in Oshkosh, this cycle of earthly life ended peacefully for Harmon Seaver.
He was born Jan. 8, 1943 in Kenosha, Wis., son of Harmon and Evelyn (Wilson) Seaver. He spent his formative years in Mississippi and South Carolina. His early job as a laborer at the UW-Madison Arboretum promoted his love for all of nature and of prairie plants in particular. He enjoyed many years homesteading, logging and sawmilling before resuming his formal education. After earning an MLIS degree from UW-Milwaukee he worked as a systems administrator for libraries in Alabama and Minnesota.
He was an active member of the Audubon Society, the Wild Ones and the Winnebago County Historical and Archaeological Society. Some of his passions included poetry, mycelium, gardening, fishing, windsurfing and photography.
His heart always remained at his 40-acre homestead deep in the Superior National Forest in Cook County, Minnesota. During his prolonged illness he continued to live with his usual unapologetic individuality, boundless curiosity and bold spirit.
He leaves behind his wife Karla; daughter
Mela of Portland, Ore.; son Geordon of Tucson, Ariz.; and grandchildren Kelso and Zora. He is also survived by a sister Forrest; a brother Robin; and several nieces and nephews. A sister, Brooke, preceded him in death. Of the many cats, dogs and goats he cared for over the years, he is now missed by Willow Catkins and Freyja pup.
Harmon was laid to rest at Natural Path Sanctuary, a green cemetery within the nature preserve of the Farley Center for Peace, Justice and Sustainability outside of Verona, Wis. A gathering in his memory at the old Good Harbor Hill Town Hall near Grand Marais is being planned for later this fall.
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