Nathan P. Seitelbach, SMSgt, USAF (Ret)

Nate was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 11, 1946. He spent his childhood and teen years in Brooklyn (in a house that looked just like Archie Bunker’s) before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1964.  He proudly served in the Air Force for 20 years before retiring in 1984.  During his time in the military, he was assigned to tours in Thailand as support for the Vietnam Conflict, and his favorite assignment was in Hessisch Oldendorf, Germany. Nate earned the Vietnam Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation medal among others. 

Nate valued education. He received his Bachelor of the Arts degree in History from Bellevue College graduating with cum Laude honors (he was a pre-Google source for important historical dates, like the date when Lincoln died, which he could recite from memory).  He also received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha as well as his Masters of Gerontology.  After the Air Force, Nate was a Business Administrator at the Thomas Fitzgerald Veterans Home for 16 years, where he applied his education to help care for the elderly.  During that time Nate also started a messianic Jewish congregation: Adat Ha Tikvah Tzion (The Hope of Zion).  He was the founder and leader of The Hope of Zion congregation for over 25 years.

Nate married Dalma Marrero in 1968 and they had 4 children: Tricia, married to William Green, Melissa, married to Randy Beagley, and Jennifer Frasier.  Their son Jason was stillborn in 1977.  He is survived by one granddaughter, Allyson Genereux. He has 6 half siblings: Jimmy, Shelly, Denise, Carl, Vicki, and Robbie, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his father, mother, aunts, and uncles.

Nate loved the New York Mets (somewhat reluctantly at first as he was still bitter about the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn), the Giants and the Jets. He had a life-long love of baseball (growing up in Brooklyn the children played baseball in the street, so he learned to hit a baseball straight ahead to avoid hitting any windows). He taught his daughters and granddaughter to love the Beatles, Motown music, horror movies (especially ones with zombies), and reading.  He enjoyed traveling with his wife Dalma.  He also told the best/worst dad jokes.  

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association.  There will be a visitation on Monday, April 22 from 4-6pm with a service at 6.  

Please do not send plants or flowers due to Jewish tradition.  No musical instruments will be allowed at the visitation or service.