Daryl "Doc" Seaman, A Dawg Forever

Calgary and the Foothills lost one of their greatest citizens in 2009 with the passing of Daryl K. ("Doc") Seaman. He was 86.

Daryl "Doc" Seaman was born in Rouleau, Saskatchewan, was an outstanding athlete growing up, a war hero as a fighter pilot in World War II before moving to Calgary to begin a successful business career. Along with brothers BJ and Don, Doc built Bow Valley Industries into a major international oil and gas company. As one of the original owner of the Calgary Flames, Doc was instrumental in bringing the National Hockey League to Calgary in 1980.

Doc was also one of our city’s greatest philanthropists providing significant funding to the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Calgary. He was also a major contributor to Hockey Canada and numerous amateur sports organizations. In 2001, along with his brothers, B.J. and Don, Doc provided $2 million in funding for the establishment of the Seaman Family MR Research Centre at the Calgary Health Region/University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine. In 2007, the centre became home to the neuroArm, the world’s first MRI-compatible surgical robot, which revolutionized neurosurgery and other branches of operative medicine by liberating them from the constraints of the human hand. Among the numerous awards that Doc received, he was awarded the Order of Canada, an Honourary Doctorate from the University of Saskatchewan and an honorary degree in Law in 1993 from the University of Calgary.

Doc's philantropy in the Foothills was renowned. In the past year he dedicated the OH Ranch that he owned to the province of Alberta as a heritage site. Doc was the principal donor behind the Scott Seaman Memorial Arena in Black Diamond, a donation he made in memory of his grandson Scott who had tragically passed away several years earlier. Okotoks Dawgs' fans will appreciate the incredible generosoity of Doc and brother Don, who were the principal donors behind Seaman Stadium as well as the Duvernay Rose Tourmaline Field House at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks.

The Dawgs express sincere condolences to Doc's family and friends. We have lost one of our own.

Daryl K. "Doc" Seaman
1922-2009