Joseph Seaton, Jr. M.D.

Seaton, Dr. J. Ralph Seaton Jr. M.D.

Born on December 3, 1931, in Uniontown, PA, Ralph passed away peacefully on July 4, 2013, from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Mary Patricia “Patti”, and his parents: Edith Louise (nee Riffle) and Joseph Ralph Seaton (Uniontown, PA). He is survived by his daughter Marilynn (Paul) Williams; son Joe (Laurie) Seaton; three grandchildren Erica Seaton, Blake Seaton, and Alex Dodd; his sister-in-law Katie (John) Buechner; nieces Mary (Pete) Fetterly and Barbara (Tim) McGraw and nephew John (Lori) Buechner.

He graduated from high school in Uniontown and continued his education at Duke University where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After graduating in 1953 with an A.B. (Pre-Medical), he entered and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine (1957). He fulfilled a one year internship at Health Center Hospitals (Pittsburgh, PA), 1957 – 58 and then performed two years of military service as base radiologist (Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve, Camp LeJeune, NC) after which he resigned his commission, honorably discharged, to pursue his medical career in civilian life.

Dr. Seaton’s first residency was at Cincinnati General Hospital, the second was at the University of Michigan where he specialized in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and also completed a fellowship in Hand Surgery at The Grace Hospital in Detroit, MI.
He was certified by many surgical organizations, including the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Plastic Surgery and he was a certified Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His academic appointments included Clinical Instructor of Surgery (Cincinnati General Hospital) and Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (University of Illinois, Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine and University of Chicago, Section of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery). He was elected to a succession of offices for The Chicago Society of Plastic Surgery, culminating with the office of President in 1986.

Dr. Seaton was a member of numerous professional societies; among them were the AMA, American College of Surgeons – Fellow, The American Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Alpha Omega Alpha Clinical Fraternity and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He was published in medical journals and lectured on a variety of surgical subjects. He was recognized by the American Cynamid Company for his contribution to the CINE program of the American College of Surgeons.
In 1969, Dr. Seaton joined an established plastic surgery group practice. He left the group and opened a solo practice in Des Plaines, IL and later opened a second office in Barrington, IL. He retired in 2000.

Dr. Seaton enjoyed fishing, especially trout fishing in the Rocky Mountains with his brother-in-law. He also made trips to both Minnesota and Canada to see what the northern waters would serve up. According to Ralph, lakeshore lunches complete with walleyed pike cooked in bacon grease was about as close to heaven as one could get.

His competitive side was expressed through the gentleman’s game of golf. When time allowed, he could be found in “friendly” games with like-minded members of the Biltmore Country Club. If the weather was not favorable for golf, he would enjoy games of gin rummy into the wee hours with his best buddy C.R.

During his illness, he was blessed with excellent caregivers who became his extended family. He will be greatly missed by many people.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial donations be made to the Les Turner ALS Foundation: http://www.lesturnerals.org.

For any information, please contact Davenport Family Funeral Home 847-381-3411.

For online condolences, please visit www.davenportfamily.com.