Dates

• Existence: 1907 - 1962

Biographical Note

Frank John Seiler (1907-1962) was a United States Air Force Colonel and served as Director of Science at Headquarters Air Force System Command.

Frank John Seiler was born on August 8, 1907 in Carlton, Minnesota to Joannes and Barbara (Schrami) Szeiler. Prior to joining the military Seiler worked as a high school chemistry teacher for several years. In 1939 he joined the Army Air Corps and was initially assigned to the Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland. At some point he asked for a transfer and became a supply officer. At the start of World War II he held the rank of Captain and was sent overseas, where he served in the European Theater. At the war's end, he had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and was assigned to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

At Wright Patterson, Seiler was involved in the early research decisions of the newly formed Air Force and became Commander of the Office of Air Research. Around 1951, he was transferred to Headquarters Air Force System Command and attained the position of Director of Science. He authored the "Seiler Report," which was influential in early Air Force in-house research. Seiler retired from military service in 1961 at the rank of Colonel.

After his military retirement he joined the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington as manager of administrative services in the Chemistry Department. He also served as a part-time lecturer.

Seiler married Marguerite Catherine Bardill (1907-1988) on December 13, 1928 in Minnesota. The couple had three sons. The family lived in Illinois for a time and moved to Seattle, Washington around 1961. Colonel Frank John Seiler died on October 16, 1962 in Seattle, Washington due to a sudden heart attack. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In 1963 the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado honored his memory with laboratory named after him.

Gender

• male

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