Douglas James Siehl

My brother, Douglas James Siehl, passed away peacefully May 15th. He was preceded in death by our dear parents, James and Lois. Doug was an elementary school educator and counselor at parochial schools in Johnstown and public schools in WV, Northern VA and Blacklick Valley. It must have been his love of children that lead him to that career, for I saw great talent and passion in him for art and music. He was an excellent clarinet player, such that when I hear concertos on the radio (Mozart, von Weber) that he learned in high school, I notice how much they sound like Doug, practicing in the bedroom we shared. Doug could also draw beautifully. A rose blossom he drew in metallic shades brings to mind the nature portraits of Albrecht Durer. He was very happy working in his garden when we were kids, and drew joy and satisfaction from continually evolving the grounds at his Parkhill home, making them ever more serene and beautiful. We shared an interest in geology since the time we were kids picking up fossils of ferns in the shale. We traveled throughout northern CA in 2005, where he needed to know how every mountain, valley, tufa formation, cinder cone and fissure was formed. Often, I could tell him, but if not, he was interested to hear me speculate. Those are precious memories for which I am grateful.

In retirement, Doug taught the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine course and participated on the bereavement committee at St. John Vianney in Mundy’s Corner. He had limited mobility in his final year and regretted that he could not be directly involved in helping others through such activities.

Rest in peace, dear Brother. You have earned it.

Friends will be received at the Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary, 921 Menoher Boulevard, on Tuesday, 22 May from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Family and friends will meet at St. John Gaubert’s on Wednesday, 23 May at 10:00 AM, for a funeral Mass.

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