Don Seike passed away January 24, 2011 at St Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco.

Celebration of Life held May 14, 2011

Don was 82 when he passed away, about 90 days after his beloved soul mate Chris Hunter passed on. 

Don Seike starting the 1967 Monterey Grand Prix

Don had joined SCCA in 1957. He was on the region board for 13 years, acting as RE for a short time. Don was known initially as one of the most flamboyant starters on the west coast. If you see old photographs of race starts in the SF Region and the Starter is jumping into the air and wearing a checkered or polka a dot shirt it was Don. Later on Don became very active in the Stewards Program and mentored many of the fine stewards we have in our program today.

Some of Don’s other accomplishments include organizing the 1972 & 1975 National Conventions held in San Francisco, organizing the SF Import Car Show for Kjell Qvale, hiring the first office manager for the region, creating the first commercial version of The Wheel publication. In 2006 Don was inducted into the SF Region Hall of Fame for his outstanding services to our club. 

Somewhere in the afterlife Don and Chris are sitting in a cruise ship lounge discussing which dinner jacket Don will wear to the Captain’s table that evening. Don I always preferred the Salmon colored one on you. Smooth cruising my friend.

There will be no funeral services for Don, a celebration of life will be planned for sometime in the near future. As more information becomes available I will let everyone know.

Jim Rogaski 

Don Seike giving Bruce McLaren the checkered flag for winning the 1969 Monterey Grand Prix. To the left is Stirling Moss, and leaning on the rear wing is Teddy Mayer, McLaren's team manager.

How can I best describe Don Seike?  Irascible comes immediately to mind; loyal; a mentor; colorful?  They all touch on it but to me, good friend rings the truest.  Don was my crutch when I became the Executive Steward.  Marty Kaufman, Al Brizard and Roger Eandi were all away quite a bit with their various professional series leaving Don (my Deputy) and I to sort out the staffing of our Regional and National races.  With Don’s coaching we survived – and had fun doing it.

I remember many times sitting in Don’s hot tub juggling assignments.  I remember our nearly closing down the ferris wheel at the Erlanger Vintage races at Sears Point.  I remember listening to Don and Chris planning for many of their cruises.  I remember a lot of good things and good times and nothing bad during the 20-plus years that I had the pleasure of enjoying Don’s friendship.

God speed to the two of you.  Don and Chris.  Halcyon days forevermore.

Dick Templeton

I am so sad to belatedly learn of Don's passing. If I had known I would have travelled from my home in Scottsdale AZ this past January to attend the celebration of his life.

Together with Don I served in many capacities in the San Francisco Region SCCA from 1960 until 1969 when I left to join the SCCA National Staff.

I served with him several years on the Region's Board of Directors and he taught me the ropes as a starter and a steward. We worked many races together and closed many bars following Board meetings!

Those were golden years for the : the Can Am, Trans Am and Continental Series events at Laguna Seca and towards the end of those years the opening of Sears Point (now Infineon) We were also active together in the Region's successful Concours d' Elegance program and of course I remember his very important role in the yearly San Francisco Auto shows.

Don was involved in so many activities, gave his time unstintingly and was always there to help and guide. A few years ago while visiting San Francisco I contacted Don and spent a wonderful evening with him reliving the many happy memories we shared. I wish him God Speed and regret I missed being with many friends at his celebration.

Bob Tomlin

Email the Region Office to add your memories of Don Seike.