Seward Newton Aldrich

Seward N. Aldrich, 83, formerly of Ephrata, WA passed away January 23, 2024 spending his final moments doing what he loved, caring for his horses. Seward was born March 13, 1940, in Hiawatha, MI to Lawrence and Leona (Hutchinson) Aldrich and grew up in Manistique, MI with his parents and 6 siblings. His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing and art. He was an amazing artist starting in high school then went on to attend Michigan Tech University. He left behind many great art pieces that lined their walls with one in particular that his teacher wanted to keep for themselves. Upon graduating with his bachelor’s degree for Civil Engineering he went on to work for the state of Wyoming where he bought his first horse, and thus began his lifelong passion. He also worked in Utah, then moved to Washington state, working for the Bureau of Reclamation on the Columbia Basin Project that help supply irrigation water to the Columbia Basin. It was in the early 1970’s that Seward met the love of his life, Marian Litke and married March 5th, 1971, creating a family with the birth of their 2 boys while also running a successful horse business, SUMA Arabians, specializing in Egyptian Arabian horses. Many years traveling and cheering on both boys as they played baseball throughout their school years. Being a father and husband was his greatest accomplishment, raising the boys to learn and love his childhood pastimes of hunting, fishing, raising horses and working the farm. Seward and Marian spent many years traveling and attending sports and band for both boys during their academic years, then enjoying their horse business until Marian’s passing in 1997. He became a grandfather in 1998 and went on to have 7 grandkids that he enjoyed watching as they have grown, including having his middle grandson, Matthew, join him for a summer of working on the farm with him creating a bond that will last a lifetime. Seward is survived by his children Matthew (Vicki) Aldrich, Mark (Theanne) Aldrich, 7 grandchildren: Rene, Devyn, Sydnie, Mark, Matthew, Jackson and Arabella, 5 siblings: Lawrence Jr, Donald, Carol, Susie and Jane with numerous nephews and nieces. Seward is predeceased by the love of his life Marian (Litke) Aldrich, his sister Sandy and both parents.

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Seward Newton Aldrich

March 13, 1940 - January 23, 2024