After a long life filled with adventure, service, music and love for others, David A Seamans passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026, at the age of 99, surrounded by family and friends. He truly exemplified a life well lived.

Born June 13, 1927, in Lawrence, Kansas, David grew up on a small farm with his parents Ruth Fisher Seamans and Robert L. Seamans. From that farm, he walked a mile each way to attend a small, one-room, eight-grade country school, where he received an education, he was always proud of.

David discovered his lifelong love for music in fourth grade when he began playing the coronet in the county band. He later switched to the French horn and continued making music throughout his life. He attended Lawrence Memorial High School, graduating in 1945, and then enlisted in the Navy. He was sent to Navy Pier in Chicago for basic training, where he spent a year playing in the Navy band—a role that also allowed him to escape mess hall duty!

After his Navy service, he enrolled in the University of Kansas (KU) to study electrical engineering. Music remained an important part of his life, and he fondly remembered traveling by train to Florida with the KU band when KU played in the Orange Bowl in 1948. He graduated from KU in 1950 and worked for the engineering firm Black and Veatch in Kansas City for two years before returning to KU to pursue a master’s degree.

He accepted a faculty position at Washington State University (WSU) in 1954 with the princely salary of $4,000 per year and later completed his master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1956. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Oregon State University in 1968 while continuing to teach at WSU, where he spent 43 years on the faculty. He retired from full-time teaching in 1992 but continued teaching part-time for another five years.

During his years at WSU, David made significant contributions to engineering education. He helped develop an analog computer-based synthesizer and started WSU’s computer engineering program. More than his accomplishments, however, he was remembered by generations of students as a caring teacher and mentor.

While at WSU, David met Saralou Mather, and the two married on April 6, 1957. They soon welcomed three children: John Christian, Ruth Elizabeth and Richard Fisher. After Saralou’s passing in 1990, David continued to live a full and meaningful life.

David opened his home to international students attending WSU, forming many lifelong friendships. He taught many of them to drive and was always ready to help, whether by editing a paper, providing a ride to the Spokane airport, or offering a listening ear. After he retired, he traveled the world with family and friends, visiting more than 36 countries.

David was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church, where he served in many capacities. He was a proud member of the Masons throughout his life, as well as a member of Rotary International, and he worked to support United Way in Pullman. He enjoyed Sunday afternoons at the Spokane Symphony and was a founding member of the Community Band of the Palouse. For more than 50 years, he could be seen playing in the band for the Fourth of July Parade in Johnson.

David is survived by his loving family including son John, daughter Ruth Devlin (Drew) and granddaughter, Keira; as well as many “adopted” family including Tamas Kovacs, Kate Huynh, and Kathy Lin. He leaves behind countless friends, students, and loved ones whose lives were enriched by his kindness, generosity, and love of music.

A celebration of David’s life will be held at St. James Episcopal Church on August 8 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to gather to share memories and honor a life well-lived. Corbeill Funeral Home, Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in David’s name be made to the David A Seamans Excellence Fund at WSU, the Spokane Symphony or St. James Episcopal Church.