A tribute to Hubert Seipel

By Phil Cobb | November 11, 2024 |

SUBMITTED PHOTO
Hubert Seipel toured the USS Lexington in 2021, the aircraft carrier on which he served during World War II. The ship spent 21 months in combat, and participated in nearly every major operation in the Pacific Theater.

Hubert Seipel, son of Henry and Agatha Seipel, joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 at the age of 17; the year he graduated from high school. The United States at the time was at war with Japan, World War II (1941-1945).

Upon completion of the Naval basic training, Hubert was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Lexington CV-16 — the replacement for the USS Lexington CV-2 that had been sunk after combat in the Coral Sea in May 1942.

Seaman Seipel was assigned fireman first class on the Lexington CV-16, located in the South Pacific, where he spent his entire two years of active duty.

His station was located 20-plus feet below the seawater surface, where he checked the gauges that indicated the flow or crude oil to the boilers that powered the steam turbines of the ship. That station was unaware of any action that was occurring on the deck. The fireman’s duty shifts were four hours on and eight hours off. The duty was not as glamorous as those serving deckside, except for orders relevant to the flow of oil to the boiler that regulated the speed of the ship.

In September 1945, the Lexington was in the South Pacific preparing for the invasion of Japan. During June and July of 1945, the U.S. started bombing the Japanese mainland. At that time, the U.S. dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. August 16, 1945, was VJ Day, when the Japanese surrendered. The peace treaty was signed on the battleship USS Missouri, sister ship to the Lexington. Fireman Seipel was below deck, uninvolved with the deckside ceremony.

Hubert went to work for the Maryville Packing Plant, owned by Seuss and Mannschreck. He began in the kill department and worked his way up to a managerial position during his 30-year tenure at the plant. Some readers will remember Country Cured Ham, made famous by Homer Croy’s writing, Nodaway sausages, ring bologna and wieners. Chain stores and accessible larger markets caused the Maryville Packing Plant’s demise.

Hubert and Maryle raised six children — three boys and three girls. At the age of 98, Hubert is still active in their farm operation and the St. Gregory Catholic Church.

I respect Hubert for his dedication to causes, his loyalty and his work ethic. Hubert had been faithfully married to Maryle for 73 years, when she died at the age of 91. Hubert still honors Maryle by holding their portrait in Hubert’s current church directory picture. Hubert has been a practicing Catholic all of his 98 years. He has been an active member of the St. Gregory Parish all of his life. He has served on the parish council several times, especially during the building of the church and the parish center. He has served on the finance committee and still serves on the St. Patrick and St. Mary’s Cemetery committees. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Hubert’s work ethic has been evidenced by his daily involvement in the 300-plus acres of his farm operation. Hubert is full of life for 98 years of age and remains active in both church and community. He walks 3 miles every day to stay fit and passes me on the track while I struggle to do 1 mile.

Compliment Hubert when you see him with a “Good job!”