Obituary of Floyd Sedlmayr

SEDLMAYR, Floyd Surrounded by his loving family, Floyd Sedlmayr passed away on February 10, 2018. He was a beloved Tucson community member who cherished family, friendship, philanthropy, the breathtaking natural splendor of the Sonoran Desert, and manmade beauty, in particular the artistry of the Western United States. He also loved to tell stories…here's a little bit about his: Floyd was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 26, 1926. After serving in the Army Air Corp, he attended Beloit College where he was an SAE. It was there he met the love of his life, Jane Hanscom, and they were married in 1951. After ten years in the savings and loan business in Chicago, Floyd was ready for an adventure. He traveled west in search of opportunities and decided on a job at Pima Savings and Loan in the small town of Tucson. Jane had never visited Tucson much less seen the house he picked out for his family, but on a hot week in July of 1962—trading humidity for a dry heat—he loaded his family into a Rambler station wagon and drove across the country to the Sonoran Desert. A couple years after settling in Tucson, he became the President of Catalina Savings & Loan Association and served there until they were acquired in 1982. From 1982 until his retirement in 1989, he served first as Chairman of the Board and later as CEO of Pima Savings. He was active at the national level in the S & L industry, serving as a director of the Federal Home Loan Bank and on the board of the U.S. League of Savings Institutions. He took immense pride in having a perpetually open door, and heartily greeted all who stepped over his threshold. He always made time for friends, customers, family, and anyone in need of advice or assistance. Floyd was a genuine Tucson personality and one of the first Tucson businessmen to become widely known and recognized in the community via radio and television ads, including the well-known Catalina Savings slogan of "move your money to the mountains…the Catalina Mountains." Until the last few years—when Lewy Body dementia took so much from him—Floyd was blessed with a lifetime of good health and a limitless zest for life. His travels with his wife, children, and grandchildren took them in their travel trailer (and later RV) from coast to coast. He and Jane loved early autumn in northern Vermont and also explored the globe widely, visiting every continent except Antarctica. Having grown up a block from Wrigley Field, he was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan (who may or may not have sneaked into his share of Cubs games as a child) and lived to see his beloved Cubbies finally win the World Series in 2016. He was also a longtime fan of University of Arizona sports, particularly basketball. Sitting three rows from the floor, Floyd rarely missed a game and was part of the infamous "three blind mice" trio that tried to intimidate the officials and whip the crowd into a joyful frenzy. Floyd also enjoyed riding horses and telling stories, things he was able to do annually on the Los Charros del Desierto ride in which he participated for over 30 years. Until recently, Floyd loved playing golf, tennis, and poker with his long-time friends. He was—along with Jane—an avid admirer and collector of art, particularly art created by the diverse artists of the great American west. Floyd was an integral and vibrant part of the fabric of Tucson. His civic engagement was widespread and meaningful. He served as a board member and President of the Catalina Foothills School Board and as a leader on numerous other community boards including the Arizona Nature Conservancy, the Tucson Festival Society, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 88-Crime, University of Arizona Presidents Club and Foundation, Catholic Community Services (where he served as the first non-Catholic president), Tucson Airport Authority, Planned Parenthood, the University of Arizona Cancer Center, United Way of Tucson, COPE, and the Friends of Western Art. He was named Man of the Year in 1988 by the Tucson Chamber of Commerce/Greater Tucson Leadership. He was a particularly active supporter of the YMCA which made him an Honorary Life Member in 2016. Floyd was also a life member of the Mountain Oyster Club, and a 33rd degree member of Scottish Rite Masonry. Floyd is survived by Jane—his wife of 65 years—his daughters Bonnie Sedlmayr-Emerson and husband Randy Emerson, Laurie Sedlmayr and husband Alfred Cumming, and son Bill Sedlmayr; grandchildren Jessica Emerson McCormick and husband Patrick, Jordan Emerson and wife Miriam, Joelle Emerson and husband Aaron Levie, and Anna Cumming; and, great grandchildren Noam, Lila, London, Sasha, and Akiva. Nothing made "Bapa's" eyes brighten more than seeing his grandies and greats. He was preceded in death by his brother Roger. Floyd was larger than life. He was never without a smile, a laugh, a song, a joke, a word of encouragement, a gesture of love. Dementia took so very much from him, but it never took the indelible twinkle from his bright, blue eyes. He set a high bar for being a moral, hardworking person and for living an active, engaged life. His family is grateful for all of the loving care he got at Pacifica in this past year and are in particular grateful to Judy Reyes, his main caregiver who loved him so much (the feeling was mutual). The Peppi's House Hospice care-providers were an invaluable resource in his final months, giving him kind, gentle, and respectful care. Gratitude abounds for caregivers who are there in the most difficult of times. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, February 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Casas Adobes Congregational Church UCC located at 6801 N. Oracle Road in Tucson. His memory is a blessing. To honor Floyd's memory, donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy, Tucson Center, 1510 E. Fort Lowell Road, Tucson, 85719, the YMCA Youth Foundation, P.O. Box 1111, Tucson, 85702, or a charity of your choice. Also to honor his memory, find the worth in every person, look for ways to do good every day, and give everyone you see this particular day a big smile…he always did. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.