Russell Sellman, Civic Leader and Musician passes away at 82

Russell Sellman, Civic Leader and Musician passes away at 82 March 7, 2006 By Kevin Dayhoff

Russell Sellman, a Westminster civic leader, veteran, musician and banker passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 7.

He had been ill for many years with Pick’s Disease and spent his final hours at Carroll Lutheran Village, with members of his family in attendance.

John Dudderar, the Westminster City Clerk for 37 years from 1964 to 2002 remembers Sellman when he served on the Westminster Common Council from 1961 to 1971, seven of those as Council President.  “Russell was a fine and well qualified elected official,” said Dudderar.

Mary Ann Kelly, who worked with Council President Sellman for many years in Westminster City Hall, remembers, “He was a very dedicated individual.  I always felt that he was very interested in the city’s progress.  He worked for the best interests of the city and its citizens.”

Sellman was born, the middle of three children, on November 5, 1923 and grew up on a working farm in the Westminster area.  His parents were the late John B. and Hilda Wertz Sellman, and his siblings are G. Elaine Bixler and Juanita Sellman.  He was married to Donna Mercedes DuVall Sellman for 56 years.  He had two children, Maura Mercedes Sheridan and Russell Thomas Sellman and four grandchildren, with whom he enjoyed traveling and sharing adventures.

He greatly enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing in the Westminster Municipal Band; barbeques with his family and friends, gardening, international travel and taking cruises.

Scott Flohr, vice-president of the Westminster Municipal Band has fond memories of playing in the band with Sellman; “Russell played baritone and trumpet.  He loved playing in the band. He was a well-loved and important member of the band for many years.”

Steve Wantz, the band’s drum major, recalls Sellman always expressed “what a wonderful organization the band was and how lucky he was to be a part of it.” He was always in the first or second row for parade events and the “volume and way in which he played was a true sign that the band was indeed a very important part of his life.  He was a great guy who will never be forgotten!”

Many recalled that even as a young man, he was always industrious.  He worked for the B. F. Shriver canning factory in the summers.

Sellman graduated from Westminster High School in 1940, where he enjoyed performing with a boy’s quartet that included Paul Cover, Tom Shilling, and Fred Holloway. As a member of the “Counts of Carroll” dance band, he thrilled many a high school audience.

Carroll County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chuck Ecker remembers his friend Sellman well. He reminisced about his work in the community and recalled, “Russell did a lot to make this community a better place to live and work.”

During World War II, Sellman served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946 with the 70^th Division Trailblazers and as a POW Camp Commander in Salzburg, Austria. He served in the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1952, at the rank of Captain with U. S. Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his military service.

Russell Myers, Carroll Post #31, American Legion Commander says, “he is truly representative of the great men that composed the greatest generation, they fought for their country and returned home to continue to serve their community and families.  Men like Russell were amazing and our country owes them a great debt.”

Buzz Smelser, a life member of Carroll Post #31 remarked, “We were proud to have him as a member.  We were proud of his service for his country.”

He graduated from Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College, in 1948 with a BS in Chemistry and Biology. He later attended graduate studies at Stonier Graduate School of Banking, although at first, he wanted to go to medical school.

Joyce Muller, McDaniel College associate vice president, said, “I have fond memories of Russell. He loved the college, whether marching in the homecoming parade always urging his fellow band members to participate or traveling with (his wife) Donna on numerous alumni trips. Many of us remember his fancy footwork at local fundraising dances for the Chamber, Hospital, or Rotary.  After his WWII experiences, about which he never stopped counting his blessings having survived major battles, he was a devoted community leader, loved his family, his College, and lived life at its fullest.”

After graduating from Western Maryland College and serving his country, Sellman began a twenty-five year career in banking. In 1949, he started his career as a loan teller with Carroll County National Bank.

A quarter of a century later with that bank, later known as Carroll County Bank and Trust, he served in all aspects of banking operations, he succeeded in improving overall assets, culminating his career as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1974 to 1977. He later worked for Woodbine National Bank.

Sellman subsequently worked for over 20 years in real estate sales, with the Burke Agency and with Billingslea Insurance and Real Estate.  He was named Carroll County Realtor of the Year in 1987.

He was a past chairman of the Industrial Development Authority and the Economic Development Commission for Carroll County. He was a member of Westminster Elks Lodge 2277, the Carroll Post #31 American Legion, the Carroll County Choral Society, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Rotary Club of Westminster for 24 years, where he once served as President.

Sellman was an active member of the Westminster United Methodist Church, serving for six years on the board of trustees.

Reverend David Highfield, pastor at Westminster United Methodist Church remarked that Sellman was a “strong and faithful member of our congregation for many years and recently served as our head usher.”

David S Babylon, Jr., has fond memories of serving with his good friend Sellman.  They grew up together and later worked together at Carroll County Bank and Trust Company and on the Westminster Common Council. “He was one of the smartest bankers I ever knew,” said Babylon.

Many folks repeated that Sellman will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his church, his country and to Carroll County.  His community leadership will be greatly missed.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

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