Harold (Hal) Arthur Seybold of Port Hardy, passed away on Wednesday, August 12. He was born in Eugene, Oregon September 5, 1933, but spent the early part of his life with his family in the San Francisco Bay area. After graduating from high school in 1951, he went on to receive his BA and MA in education and administration with minors in psychology and music from San Jose State University. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Willis Lee (Swain) Seybold, married September 11, 1954, and their two children Paul Harold Seybold and Janet Kristan Seybold of Vancouver.
In 1955 Hal was stationed in Taiwan as part of the Military Advisory Corp. Hal accepted an elementary teaching position in 1956 at Santa Clara, and started his administrative career in 1963 at Monterey. Hal’s big heart and compassion for the wellbeing of his students found him starting his own private school in the spirit of A.S. Neil (Summerhill). Hal and his family came to Canada in 1971 where he accepted a position as Headmaster of a private school in Victoria for children with special needs. In 1975 Hal accepted the position of Director of Education for children with special needs here in Port Hardy where he enhanced the program beyond all expectations and is dearly loved by all the teachers and children he worked with.
In 1975 he and his wife Willis built their unique house on Beaver Harbour Road. Hal’s hobbies were fishing, classical piano, opera and the collection and mounting of Asian type stones recovered from his claim in the Quatsino Formation.
In the weeks to come there will be a private memorial for family and friends to remember this creative, kind and gentle man.
Donations may be made to the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation.