Kirk Seitz

After a valiant seven-year struggle with cancer, Kirk Webster Seitz died in Bozeman at 10:30 p.m. on the Ides of March, Friday the 15th, surrounded by his family; he was such an attentive guy that even in his final moments he seemed to have waited for his niece, Sabina, who had gotten off a plane only five hours before he passed. Kirk was born on October 4, 1955 in San Francisco, but moved to Billings as a child. With stretches of his life then spent in California and Florida, Kirk became a competitive, champion diver as a teenager, which eventually earned him a scholarship to Cornell University, where he earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics. Immediately following college, Kirk moved to Havre, where he worked for many years as a natural gas landman, and pursued his passion for hunting and fishing. He eventually moved to Camano Island, Washington in order to pursue a career as a financial advisor, which he continued when he moved to Bozeman, where he lived for the rest of his life. Kirk married Marie Gary on July 8, 2006, and they went on to many adventures together, including much time at their beloved cabin on Hebgen Lake. They spent many grand times hiking, fishing, and sailing, including winning the Hebgen Cup in their yellow San Juan 21’ sailboat. Kirk was an avid and skilled outdoorsman with a passion for not only hunting, fishing, backpacking, hiking and sailing, but also skiing, waterskiing, sailing, snorkeling, and even a bit of surfing. He loved to work on cars, including not only his collection of Volkswagens but his beloved red 1959 Ford pickup, a unique and familiar sight in the Gallatin Valley. He was an avid reader with a keen interest in history, which he loved to engage in lively conversation about. A gregarious, loving, and passionate guy, Kirk was also an outstanding cook. He is survived by his wife, Marie Gary, his children, Rankin and LaRue Seitz, Ryan and Megan Matzinger and Mollie Morrow, his precious grandson, Erik Dettori, his mother, Patricia Templin, and his brother, Brian Seitz, all of whom loved and will miss him immensely, as will his beloved golden retrievers, Bailey and Lizzie. His family will hold a celebration of his life on Sacajawea Peak in June. Memorial donations may be made to the Gallatin Valley Land Trust. Peace be with you, Kirk.