Dr. Elizabeth "Beth" Byerrum Seaman

Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Byerrum Seaman (née Elizabeth Somers Byerrum), beloved mother of Michael and Christopher and sister of Carey, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 4, 2022, at the age of 75. She is remembered for her generous soul, sharp intellect and wry sense of humor.

Beth was born on July 25th, 1946, in Chicago, IL but soon moved to East Lansing, MI, where her father joined the Michigan State University faculty. Beth graduated from East Lansing High School in 1964, where she participated in music and cheerleading and was her class homecoming queen.

Starting in middle school, Beth first took up the violin, but in high school switched to the double bass, which she continued to play for the rest of her life. Some of her fondest childhood memories were of Interlochen Music School, where she studied during summers.

She attended MSU, graduating with honors in both zoology and music in 1968, receiving her degree from her father, who was then the dean. Beth then attended the University of Michigan, where she earned her MD in 1972 as one of the few female students. She claimed to have been admitted to medical school by agreeing to play bass for the hospital’s orchestra. She began her residency training in Internal Medicine at George Washington University, but moved to Boston, completing her training at the Boston VA Hospital.

Beth then moved to Marin County, CA, where she started her medical career, first at the Vallejo Kaiser Hospital, then at the San Francisco VA hospital, where she held a clinical appointment at UCSF. She soon started her own medical practice in Marin, where she practiced for over 40 years. She was a fixture of the local community, well-known for her compassion and kind bedside manner.

At this time, she started her family, becoming a mother to two sons, Christopher and Michael, who were her pride and joy, eventually becoming the grandmother to three grandchildren, whom she also loved.

Throughout her medical career, she continued to work in music, playing with multiple ensembles, most notably playing bass for the Marin Symphony over 30 years, also serving on its Board of Directors. She was a devotee of the performing arts, having endured Wagner’s Ring Cycle more than once. She was also an avid sports fan, dividing her loyalties between San Francisco and MSU teams.

She retired back to East Lansing, where she enjoyed spending time with family and reconnecting with old friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Claire and Richard and by her brother and sister, Robert and Mary. She is survived by her sons, Christopher (Jennifer) Seaman and Michael (Jenna) Seaman; her sister, Carey (Joseph) Byerrum; her ex-husband, William Seaman; and her grandchildren, Avery, Charlotte, and William; as well as many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Gorsline Runciman East Lansing Chapel, 1730 E Grand River Ave., East Lansing 48823. A memorial visitation will be held Friday, May 6 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Richard and Claire Byerrum Endowment in Biochemistry or to the Marin Symphony Orchestra.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Seaman family.