Donald R. Seawell made his permanent stamp on Denver’s community with his involvement in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and The Denver Post newspaper.
He died on Wednesday at the great age of 103. I remember so much about Mr. Seawell, as I called him, through his 100th birthday at the ballroom that bears his name, and as a resident of Larimer Place, where one of by BFFs lives. I would occasionally run into him in the lobby.
Mr. Seawell was a glorious man. He took risks by bringing the laborious “Tantalus” to the DCPA, a two-day epic testament to patience.
According to the news obit in The Denver Post, “Donald R. Seawell served as an attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission, a speech writer for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a staff member for General Eisenhower during WWII, and was a prominent theatrical attorney and producer in New York and London. He came to Denver at the request of Helen G. Bonfils, owner of The Denver Post, where, as publisher, he defeated a hostile takeover attempt. Upon Ms. Bonfils’ death in 1972, he conceived the idea of the Denver Performing Arts Complex, now home to 10 performances spaces and more than 10,000 seats. Concurrently he founded the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and its theatrical divisions, which produce Tony Award-winning theater, present hits direct from Broadway, create immersive multimedia productions and teach acting to more than 68,000 students annually.
“May his vision live on.”
Judi Wolf, a close friend to Mr. Seawell and his weekend hostess at her home, said, “So often, he would say to me’ You’re the only woman in my life who doesn’t want anything from me.'” What a beautiful sentiment.
Services are pending, but I will keep readers up to date as soon as I get information.
Donald Seawell, pictured with Judi Wolf and Cleo Parker Robinson, top right.
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