SEYMOUR BARONDES
1919 - 2011
Seymour Barondes, 92, served as a federal government executive throughout a distinguished career of public service that spanned 34 years – beginning with a WWII-era assignment at the Office of Price Administration in Washington D.C., followed by a position in post-war Tokyo with the Department of the Army under General Douglas MacArthur, and culminating with an appointment in Washington, D.C. as a senior economist at the Agency for International Development (AID). Seymour retired from the federal government in 1976.
Born in New York City in 1919 and educated in New York City public schools, Seymour received a bachelor's degree in economics at the City College of New York in 1939. Around that time, he met Florence "Faye" Berman at a classical musical appreciation event in New York and later married her in the summer of 1942. After the war, he spent three years working in Japan, where his two daughters – Vivian and Anita – were born. After returning to the U.S., he co-owned and managed a small business in Baltimore, then resumed his government career with AID.
In 1957, Seymour and Faye moved to Howard County, Maryland, where they raised their daughters and lived until 2008. While living in Howard County, Seymour was active in county politics for many years. He was president of the Howard County Civic Association and ran for county office. He was instrumental in efforts to prevent unplanned growth in the county and to ensure that the physical beauty of the largely rural county was protected during the development of Columbia. Following Seymour's retirement from the federal government, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Howard County Community College, where he provided an important voice in support of higher standards and improved curriculum for the College.

In addition to his public pursuits, after retirement, Seymour cultivated his hobbies of classical music, gardening, reading mystery novels, non-fiction books and political journals. He became well known in the neighborhood for his skill in growing roses, African violets, daffodils and dahlias. And when he and Faye purchased a townhouse in Rehoboth, Delaware in 1972, it allowed them to renew their long-held love of the ocean, and it opened up a vacation venue they could share with their daughters and grandchildren, Aaron, Benjamin and Dara.
Seymour will be especially remembered for his many remarkable personal qualities: a well-developed memory and finely-honed intelligence and wit; a generosity of spirit and compassion for and loyalty to family and friends; a natural sense of humor that was sometimes unintentionally funny, but never cruel, hurtful or vindictive; an honesty and gentleness in manner and speaking; and a genuine love and affection for his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was extremely proud of his family and of what they were able to achieve - often attributing their wonderful qualities to the excellence of his gene pool. Most recently, Seymour was made all the more proud when his latest great grandchild was named David "Seymour" Phillips, in honor of Seymour's remarkable legacy to his family.
Seymour is survived by his wife (Faye, who lives at Ashby Ponds senior community in Ashburn, Virginia); a sister (Edith Rowe); two daughters (Vivian and Anita); three grandchildren (Aaron, Benjamin and Dara); and two great grandchildren (Carson and David Seymour).

A gathering in memory of Seymour Barondes will be held at Ashby Ponds on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. If interested, contributions can be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601 or Gilcrist Hospice Care, 5537 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, Maryland 21045.