In Memoriam: Don Seaman, Calgary entrepreneur

Reflecting upon the passing of a Calgary visionary and his game-changing donation from more than a quarter-century ago, Dr. Michael Hill, draws a straight line from Don Seaman and his brothers’ legendary business acumen to their contributions to the University of Calgary.

“Research is very entrepreneurial,” says Hill, MSc’03, MD, a stroke neurologist and professor at UCalgary’s Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). “For guys like Don — an entrepreneur in his own right — he probably thought, ‘Gee, this is just like what we do. Let’s put some money into it and see where it takes us.’”

Oil-patch leaders Don, Doc and B.J. Seaman donated $2 million to the university in 1998 — and pledged ongoing support — to establish the Seaman Family Magnetic Resonance Research Centre, which, outfitted with the latest technology, became a hub for groundbreaking medical advancements. 

Supported world-leading research

Imaging research at the Centre allowed the highly regarded Calgary Stroke Program (CSP), a partnership between the CSM and Alberta Health Services, to emerge.

The CSP is now considered a world leader in stroke research and education.

“Hopefully, we have capitalized on their investment,” says Hill, former director of the stroke unit at the CSP. “It’s not necessarily a financial return, but it’s a tremendous intangible return to the people of Alberta and Canada. We’re a very well-known program internationally and we try to provide really good local care.

“Research relies on philanthropy like this. We’re grateful.”

Seaman continued a family legacy of philanthropy

Don Seaman passed away on July 9 at the age of 99, a couple of weeks shy of his 100th birthday. He was predeceased by his older brothers: Doc in 2009, B.J. in 2021. 

“The legacy of Don and his family lives on at the University of Calgary and in the countless lives saved and changed by advancements made possible with their generous investment — particularly in the fields of medicine and health,” says UCalgary President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ed McCauley. "Thanks to Mr. Seaman’s loyal support over the years, our stroke researchers have gained global prominence. It’s an honour to be part of the Seaman story, and we will remember his devotion.

“We would like to express our sincere condolences to Mr. Seaman’s friends and family.”

Philanthropy helped save lives and support students

As a donor to Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) in the CSM’s Libin Cardiovascular Institute — and as a patient — he left an impression. “A pillar of the community for so long, he built a lot of Calgary,” says Dr. William Kent, MD, PGME’12 , MICS program lead and one of Seaman’s surgeons. “He maintained that level of dedication, not only to his work, but to the city.”

The Rouleau, Sask., native also supported ventures at the Haskayne School of Business, donating to the faculty’s room-renovation campaign. In recognition of that gift, a student meeting space was named the Seaman Family Room. 

Seaman also paid tribute to his late daughter with a student award by being a major contributor to the Laurie Ircandia Memorial Scholarship in the Faculty of Science.

Family remembers generosity

“Our dad was simply generous by nature, giving in myriad ways, both big and small,” Seaman’s family shared with UCalgary. “The university was a natural fit for that generosity, as education was a deep family value, instilled by his mother who was forced to leave school after Grade 8. He also loved Calgary and did his best to promote causes in the community. That generosity came full circle when he received life-saving heart surgery from Dr. Kent.

“As grateful as the university is in honouring our father, we are also grateful to the university for their kindness to us.”

A Graduate of the University of Saskatchewan’s engineering program — and recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his alma mater in 2019 — Seaman’s vision will never be forgotten.

His impact at UCalgary is undeniable. Just ask researchers who continue to reap the rewards of the 1998 gift.

“The legacy has been fantastic,” says Hill. “When a family’s willing to give back to their community with a substantial gift, it allows you to make big advances. For us in the stroke program, it really got us going.”

A celebration of life in honour of Seaman will be held this fall.