University to hold memorial for Seidman

Bill Seidman's family asked Grand Valley State University to hold a public memorial for him.

The university is planning on it. First, there will be a private family service. It could be in Albuquerque, N.M., where he died Wednesday at the age of 88.

Seidman graduated from Dartmouth College, Harvard Law School, and the University of Michigan's business school.

He was awarded the bronze star while serving in the invasion of the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

In 1949, he joined the family business, Seidman and Seidman, a public accounting and consulting firm now known as BDO Seidman. It is the sixth-largest in the United States, founded by his uncle in New York in 1910.

Seidman's father, Frank, opened the Grand Rapids office in 1919.

Bill Seidman was managing partner of the company from 1968 until 1974, when then-President Gerald R. Ford pressed him into action as his economic adviser.

He became chairman of the FDIC, and worked for President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush.

Seidman was instrumental in helping many large, successful companies get launched in Grand Rapids, said Tom Hiller, the local managing partner of BDO Seidman in Grand Rapids.

Hiller said Seidman mentored and counseled the company as it was being formed.

Seidman raised the first million dollars to launch what is now Grand Valley State University. A founder of the college, the Seidman School of Business is named after him.

In the 1960s, Seidman helped found and was president of local television station WZZM.

He contributed to Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, where the Seidman Center for the Boys and Girls Club is located.

Seidman donated to Seidman Park in Ada Township, known for its five miles of cross-country ski trails.

Most recently, he served as a top financial commentator on CNBC.