Carl Seiter

Dr. Joseph Carl Seiter (1934-2020) was the only son born to Joseph Carl Seiter Sr., professor of piano at Syracuse University, and Frances Bouts (or Boutz) Seiter of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Seiters then lived in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Seiter Jr. attended Denver Public Schools and was an active student of music in the studios of the late Dr. Antonia Brico studying piano, orchestral conducting and the oboe. Upon finishing high school and after serving two years in the United States Army posted first in California and later in Alaska, Dr. Seiter returned to Colorado and enrolled at The Colorado College in Colorado Springs to study piano with Dr. Max Lanner and composition with Mr. Carleton Gamer. Being always active in sports, Dr. Seiter found time, while at Colorado College, to become reasonably accomplished at skiing, scuba diving, and ice hockey. In 1959 Dr. Seiter graduated with an AB degree in music. He taught music in the Jefferson County Public Schools for 3 1/2 years and played the oboe in several regional orchestras and chamber music ensembles before returning to Colorado University to pursue a masters in science. Returning to the Jefferson County Schools, Dr. Seiter taught junior high science for 11 years while obtaining both the Master's research degree in the Basic Sciences and later the Doctorate in Education. While in Jefferson County, Dr. Seiter was instrumental in the development and teaching of the very successful sex education program eventually used county wide. His services were used in the pilot teaching of new NSF funded programs in physical science and the earth sciences then being evaluated for adoption by the school system. Dr. Seiter joined the faculty at Tennessee Tech University (TTU) in January 1974. Dr. Seiter's early years at TTU included developing new curriculum or reactivating other courses in need of staffing. Computer technology began to require increasing faculty attention so Dr. Seiter began preparations to learn and later teach the computer application courses required in the College of Education and the College of Nursing. Dr. Seiter greatly enjoyed working with other faculty in the development and teaching of the State Legislature's mandated 21st Century Classroom Instructional Technology course. Dr. Seiter retired in 2000 from Tennessee Tech University. In 1983, at age 47, being far from the snow and ice of Colorado, Dr. Seiter became active in the martial arts and attained the rank of second degree black belt with the United Tak Won Do studio of the late Mr. Jack Scott affiliated with the United Karate Studios of Dalton, Georgia. He was active in many karate competitions both as a competitor and judge and enjoyed teaching the martial arts at the studios in Cookeville and in Dalton. With the demands of the martial arts finally taking their toll on his physical frame, in 1994 Dr. Seiter moved away from Tak Won Do to a renewal of interest in swimming. Dr. Seiter attended The River Church. Dr. Seiter is survived by his loving wife, Helen; daughters, Marsha Leann Dyer and husband Bryan Dyer of Cookeville, Tammy Renea West and husband Teral West of Smithville; granddaughters, Shelby Dyer-Jacobs and husband Jerimiah Jacobs, Isabella Thompson; sons, Joseph Clifton Seiter of San Francisco, California, Robert Christopher Seiter of Nashville; half-brothers, Richard Nakosteen of Santa Barbara, California, and Robert Nakosteen of Amherst, Massachusetts. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Cookeville/Putnam County Animal Shelter, 2650 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, TN 38501. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.