Charles Lee "Chuck" Seifert

Charles Lee Seifert MD, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, soon-to-be great grandfather, colleague and dear friend passed away in Battle Creek, Michigan on May 7th, 2021. Chuck was 87. Holding him in prayer and cherished memory are his wife of 65 years Joyce Seifert; three children Stephen (Kathy) Seifert, Sharon (Scott) Burchett and Keith George (Sherri) Seifert; three siblings Sally (Stephen) Styers, Ruth (Ron) Koenig and Arthur (Jean) Seifert; grandchildren Cary, Britta (Jonathan), Brittni (Rainer), Anna, Charles, Andrew and Matthew; great grandson, Sebastian, due on Oct 25th; and his brother-in-law Jerry A. Gault. He is pre-deceased by his parents George D. Seifert and Jean M. (Metcalf) Seifert and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard and Judith Gault.

Chuck was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 19, 1933 to Rev. George and Jean Seifert. Chuck was raised in the parsonage of Lakeview Baptist Church and was a 1951 graduate of Lakeview High School, where he met his future wife, Joyce Gault. He then graduated from Kalamazoo College followed by University of Michigan Medical School. He married Joyce at First Methodist Church on February 4th, 1956. He interned at Presbyterian Hospital in Denver and then returned to Battle Creek for Residency in General Surgery. He was called to the military for 8 years and served in a training program in Urology in Texas and then as a surgeon for the United States Air Force at Torrejon Air Base in Madrid, Spain. While there he and Joyce often took the family to explore many countries in Europe and Asia, even East Germany behind the Berlin Wall.

Upon returning to the United States in 1970 he began a medical practice in Urology. Due to his passion to improve things for all, he donated many hours in leadership positions on boards and committees in the medical community and community at large, such as when he provided leadership on the successful effort to merge the City of Battle Creek and Battle Creek Township, was instrumental in establishing NorthPointe Woods and the Math & Science Center, served on the Community Foundation and served as the Mayor of Battle Creek. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Battle Creek, where he again provided leadership to improve the spiritual life of members and the community. While Chuck was driven to achieve these many goals, this cannot all be accomplished without a trusted aid and advisor. He had that in his beloved wife, Joyce, who was forever at his side. Chuck retired from medicine in 1996 but continued his service to the community.

While he was very active in the community his greatest passion, as with his father before him, was time spent with his family. Within the family he was seen as a trusted mentor, unwavering supporter in times of joy and strife and dependable resource in aiding all in achieving their life's goals. He made extraordinary effort to support the family and would often show up at unexpected times when he knew of someone's needs. He and Joyce frequently offered their home on Goguac Lake to family members and community members alike for events that included water skiing and shish kabobs on the grill and holidays with delicious food for all.

While a serious man, Chuck was also ready with a smile, prone to chuckle and quick with a witty phrase that would lighten the mood of everyone around him. He enjoyed organ music, snow skiing with friends and family, tennis with his cherished tennis group and relaxing doing yard work while contentedly listening to the ball game on the radio. He was known for whistling both at home and while walking down the hallway in patient-care areas.

Chuck was a Lion of a Man who spent countless hours in support of his family, church and community as a healer and leader. He will be sorely missed.

Chuck's life will be celebrated with an appropriately distanced public visitation at the First Congregational Church of Battle Creek at 145 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI on Saturday, May 22nd from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In light of guidelines for church gatherings, there will be a private service for Chuck's family on Sunday, May 23rd. The service will be Live-streamed and may be viewed by visiting facebook.com/fccbattlecreek/live. His family will gather at Memorial Park Cemetery on Monday, May 24th for military honors and a committal service.

Memorial contributions in honor of Chuck may be made to either the First Congregational Church, 145 Capital Avenue N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017; online at https://www.fccbc.org/giving; or the Reverend George and Jean Seifert Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Battle Creek Community Foundation, 32 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1, Battle Creek, MI 49017; or online https://www.bccfoundation.org/fund/george-and-jean-seifert-memorial-scholarship-fund.

Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for Chuck's family may be placed here at http://tributes.com/obituary/show/Charles-Lee-Chuck-Seifert-108518119