In Memoriam: George Seuffert Sr.
In Memoriam: Donald Stein
George Seuffert Sr. passed away Dec. 13, 2023, in Scottsdale, Ariz., with his grandchildren holding his hands. George was born in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Fordham University and New York Medical College. During his junior year, he met and married the love of his life, Ingrid. They were together for 65 years. He obtained his medical degree and went on to do an internship at the University of Virginia and a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He served in the Public Health Service and was stationed in Charolette, North Carolina, Staten Island, New York, and finally Anchorage, Alaska. He arrived in Anchorage in summer 1967, after driving from Staten Island with his wife, three children, mother- in-law and dog. George decided to stay in Alaska and go into private practice after the Public Health Service. George was part of a team of doctors that would travel throughout Alaska doing surgical clinics for Alaska Natives. He was also one of the original members of The Heart Surgery team with doctors Arndt Von Hippel, George Rhyneer and Jim Baldauf. The first open heart surgery was done on a black bear. In case George didn’t give the bear enough anesthesia, all the doctors were strapped with guns. One of his greatest honors was
becoming a member of the Academy of Anesthesiology. Membership of the Academy is by invitation only and he always joked that he was invited to be a member because he was from Alaska and the only anesthesiologist that anesthetized a black bear. After retiring from medicine, George decided to go in a
We celebrate the life of Donald Stein of Fairbanks, who recently passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Dec. 8, 2023, at the age of 96. He died peacefully at home with his family. Donald was born in Buffalo, New York, to George and Matilda Stein on Oct. 13, 1927. He was a member of a close and loving family of four brothers and one sister who passed at an early age. After high school near the end of World War II, he followed his older brother Norm into the Navy where he served as a boilerman aboard the fast oiler USS Chemung. Soon after his honorable discharge in 1947, he was lured north to the rugged territory of Alaska and its promises of freedom. Donald followed his passions and earned bachelor’s degrees in geology and chemistry from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1954. His career as state assayer in Fairbanks in 1956 followed, where he soon became well respected by miners for his competence, friendly nature and discretion. He worked actively in support of miners around the state and with the Alaska Miners Association. Don developed many friendships in the mining industry, one of the earliest being Leo Mark Anthony. As best man at Leo’s wedding, the maid of honor, Evelyn Fikse, caught his eye. Donald and Evelyn were married in 1956 at the First Methodist Church in Fairbanks, with Leo and his wife Beverly serving as best man and maid of honor in turn. Donald and Evelyn were adventurous and enjoyed traveling, visiting places around the world with family history. He was an avid bowler and participated in league competitions. Armed with a talent for construction, he built his own home where he raised his family and infused his children and grandchildren with a loyalty and respect for each other that strengthens the family to this day. After retiring in 1981, he set out to realize his dream
of placer mining on his own claims. Together with his wife, his son Robert, and son-in-law Brad, Donald worked his placer properties on Twin Creek, and later on Gilmore Creek, for many seasons. He enjoyed vigorous health well into his 90s. An avid storyteller, Don always had an interesting tale at hand to tell from his life experiences.
totally different direction and became a gold miner. He spent the last 30-plus years mining with his son. He loved being in remote Alaska and was respected by the mining community. For many, it was beneficial having a medical professional among them. He was always willing to help them out and saved many lives over the years. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Frank; and daughter, Cynthia. He is survived by his wife, Ingrid; son, George (Anna); daughter, Laura (Jelle); grandchildren, Maria, Johan and Hans; brothers, Ed (Ginny) and Peter (Clair); and many nephews and nieces. He will be forever missed.
Sadly, he was preceded by his beloved wife and best friend of 59 years, Evelyn. He is survived by his two brothers, Norman and Raymond; his three sons, George, Nicholas and Robert; and his two daughters, Andrea Snow and Kathleen Hardenbrook. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sarah, Joseph, Benjamin, Michael, David and Lucas, as well as his great-grandchildren, Asher, Mackenzie, Gideon and Evelyn, and a fifth one on the way, Owen Michael. Donald will be remembered by his family and friends for his generosity, hard-working nature, kindness and
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