A Tribute to Bill Seidman
In Memoriam
Bill Seidman 1921-2009
“I’ve had a great life…
Grand Rapids native Lewis William “Bill” Seidman was the 14th chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and chairman of the Resolution Trust Corporation. He was also a key presidential advisor, a popular and respected financial commentator on CNBC, and a longtime supporter of Grand Valley State University.
As a CPA, Bill helped bring the Seidman and Seidman accounting firm to national prominence. In Washington, he worked with presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush – and successfully navigated the nation through the savings and loans crisis of the late 1980s. And in Michigan, he was a vibrant part of the Grand Rapids community, and driving force in the founding of Grand Valley.
But Bill’s life was more than a list of accomplishments. To family, friends, and colleagues, he was authentic, warm, and fun – with a well-honed sense of humor. He pursued a wide range of interests, from art and athletics to writing, teaching, and fishing. Along the way, he developed a reputation for his integrity, straight talk, and being a steadfast friend to the people around him, Grand Valley, and the nation.