July 16, 2007

Metal fabricator left his mark on Seattle

Photo courtesy of Seidelhuber Iron & Bronze Works [enlarge]

Henry Seidelhuber worked at the company for about 70 years.

Henry “Hank” Seidelhuber spent decades running Seidelhuber Iron & Bronze Works but still found time for his love of all things outdoors, including a stint as a ski stunt man in the 1941 movie “Sun Valley Serenade.”

Seidelhuber, age 91, died last week from congestive heart failure.

Heidi Seidelhuber, his only daughter, said he worked for the company until the end.

Frank J. Seidelhuber, Henry's father, founded Seidelhuber Iron & Bronze Works in 1906.

Henry and his family fabricated metals for many local landmarks, including the original Pike Place Public Market, the aluminum facade on the Volunteer Park Art Museum and Boeing wind tunnels in Seattle and Everett. One of the firm's most famous projects was the 2001 reconstruction of the Pioneer Square Pergola.

“He worked in the shop from the time he was 12 or younger,” Heidi said. Later, still as a child, he went out on jobsites with ironworkers.

After World War II, the company discovered there were a lot of surplus bronze water tanks available at a time when soldiers were returning and starting families. The company contacted a local utility to find out how water heaters were built. Henry helped his father and others refine the product, which was made until 1952.

Heidi said the tanks can be found in antique stories and she gets calls from owners who say their tanks are still working after more than 50 years of service.

The water heater business was sold to Rheem Manufacturing to cover debts the company had from an unprofitable steel rolling mill it owned on the Duwamish River. After that, the company focused on steel fabrication.

Henry took over operation of the company in the early 1960s from his brother, Frank V. Seidelhuber.

Heidi said the wind tunnel projects in the mid-1960s involved sophisticated construction.

“He was such a creative person, he was always coming up with something that would just blow everyone away,” Heidi said.

After the wind tunnels, the company focused on docks and terminals for Washington State Ferries and the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System. Some of the Alaska projects included the Ketchikan Ferry Terminal ramp and structures, along with several bridges.

“He loved to do marine construction,” Heidi said.

Henry was slowed by a stroke in 1996 that limited his vision, but he still was able to give advice on how to fabricate different projects.

Heidi said her father was the creative force, energy guy and people guy of the company. Her mother, Elsie, who still does the company's books at age 89, is the conservative counterpart. Elsie even set up an office in Hank's room when he became ill so that she could continue to do the books.

Henry met Elsie while working on “Sun Valley Serenade” in Idaho. In that movie, he performed ski scenes as a double for Sonja Henie and Milton Berle.

Henry was a ski racer with the Penguin Ski Club and starred in the club's ski chase movie.

“His first love was skiing in the mountains, but he loved everything outdoors,” Heidi said. He even made his own skis when he was a child. He also learned how to ski jump from his many Scandinavian friends.

Heidi has been president of Seidelhuber Iron & Bronze Works for more than 10 years, so the absence of her father isn't expected to have a large negative impact the company's daily operations. She said she will miss getting his advice on projects.

“He taught me a lesson that girls don't usually get,” she said. “When there was trouble he would say, ‘It's good thing you have broad shoulders.'”

A public service will be held 2 p.m. tomorrow at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. A graveside ceremony will be held 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue.

Heidi said her father will be buried along with the company's 100th anniversary flag.