Ernest Alfred Paul Seemann, Sr., age 93, long-time resident of Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, and Foley, Alabama, passed away Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. He was born in Union City, New Jersey, to the late Erich W. Seemann and Bertha (Hessel) Seemann. He graduated from Union Hill High School and attended Stevens Institute of Technology and Newark College of Engineering. He served in the Air Force from 1946 to 1949. In 1951, he married Elizabeth ‘Jeff’ Suckoe and after briefly living in Hoboken and Gillette, in 1957 they settled in Berkeley Heights where they raised their five children. When his children were young, Ernie would spend a Thursday evening cooking with them. Among some of the memorable things they chose to make were salt water taffy and homemade potato chips. At one point, they worked their way through the alphabet and made something for every letter. Later, as his children were in high school and were part of the marching band program, Ernie and ‘Jeff’ were band parents for a 12-year span during which time they became “parents” to many. There was always an open door and a place at the table for anyone who stopped by.
Ernie was employed by Bell Telephone Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey, and was part of the team that built the Telstar Satellite in the early 1960’s. The satellite was part of a multi-national agreement to develop experimental satellite communications over the Atlantic Ocean.
After Ernie retired, he moved to Foley, Alabama. There he was able to pursue his love of model trains by volunteering several days a week at the local train museum working on the layouts and sharing his love of trains with the many schoolchildren and visitors who came through the exhibit. He was active at the museum for many years until recently.
He is survived by his five children, Ernest Seemann, Jr., (Theresa); Eric Seemann; Edward Seemann (Diane); Everett ‘Punky’ Seemann; and Ellen Lumley (Leon). He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Christopher Seemann; Jennifer Seemann; Timothy Seemann; Eric Seemann, Jr.; Brian Seemann; Julia Seemann; Randy Long; Haley Long, and one great-grandson, Carson Long. In addition to his parents, Ernie was predeceased by his brother, Walter; his first wife, Elizabeth; and his second wife, Gwendolyn.
No services are planned at this time. In honor of Ernie’s love for model trains, donations may be made to the Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit. Checks should be made payable to the City of Foley with a designation of Caboose Club/Seemann and mailed to the City of Foley, P.O. Box 1750, Foley, AL 36536.
