Donald Keith Sebera

Donald Keith Sebera, of South Palm Beach, FL, and Easton, MD, died of natural causes in Easton on Thursday, August 27, 2015. He attained 87 years of age. Donald was born April 6, 1928, in Chicago, IL. He attended Lane Technical High School and studied at the University of Chicago, earning four degrees, including a PhD in Chemistry. After graduate school, he enlisted in the Army, where he advanced to the rank of Lieutenant and served in the Chemical Corps during the Korean conflict. Upon leaving the Army, he began his career in academia as Professor at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, where he taught chemistry to undergraduates and supervised graduate students for 12 years. During his tenure at Wesleyan, Dr. Sebera became interested in the scientific aspects of works of art. Following a sabbatical at the Canadian Conservation Institute in Ottawa, Canada, he left Wesleyan to develop the science program at the fledgling Center for Historic and Artistic Works in Art Conservation associated with the State University of New York in Cooperstown. He returned to the CCI for a number of years before moving on to the University of Delaware/Winterthur Museum, where he was Professor of chemistry and science in the art conservation program. He also taught chemistry at Washington College in Chestertown, MD. He ended his career at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, where he developed a system of isoperm curves that chart the constant durability of materials in relation to temperature and relative humidity. Dr. Sebera was awarded several patents related to his research. Amongst many honors, he served as President of the American Institute for Conservation, the professional association of art conservators, which named him an Honorary Member in recognition for his many contributions to the field. He is also the author of Electronic Structure and Chemical Bonding, a chemistry text-book that has been translated into several languages. Donald married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Ruth Sebera (nee Juergens), who predeceased him in 2000. They were married for 47 years, and are survived by their children, Mary Sebera of Baltimore, Laura Sebera of Cooperstown, NY, Robert Sebera of Piles Grove, NJ, and Diana Sebera of Toronto, Ontario. He is also survived by six grandchildren; his sister, Olga Cucci of Bradenton, FL; and his brother, Gregory Soohov of Menomonie, WI. He was married to Martha Morales Sebera, (nee Rivers) of Clifton, NJ, and is survived by her son, Christopher Morales of Falls Church, ViA. Also surviving is Joanne Hart of Trappe, his beloved partner with whom he shared the last eight years of his life happily in Maryland and South Palm Beach. Her son, Alex Hart, lives in Woodstock, MD. Donald lived life to the fullest, believing in "making my own luck" and "going first class." He was curious about the world, traveling widely and reading extensively about any subject. He was an accomplished cook, cake baker, tailor, furniture maker and house renovator. He sang along with Frank Sinatra, relished blue crabs, and savored Macallans whiskey. He enjoyed a good debate and loved champagne, but perhaps his favorite activity was sitting in the sun, doing the crossword, and watching the waves from his Florida balcony. He will be sorely missed. A gathering of freinds will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2015, from 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home in Easton, with internment to follow at a later date in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago.

Donald Keith Sebera

April 6, 1928 - August 27, 2015