Edward Herbert Seiler was born in Huntington on July 5, 1945. He attended Highlawn Elementary, Lincoln Junior High and Huntington East High School. His family was active in the First Presbyterian Church. Seiler was a regular participant in community activities. His work life began when he became a paperboy for The Herald-Dispatch and Huntington Advertiser at age 12 and in high school as a clerk at Vaughn's Pharmacy and Rexall Pharmacy.
He graduated from Huntington East in 1963 and entered Marshall where he earned a bachelor's degree in administration in 1967. He received a draft notice for induction into the U.S. Army but was not accepted due to poor eyesight. As an alternative to military service and through an interest in healthcare administration, he joined the U.S. Veterans Administration in 1968 and began his career in the VA healthcare system. He then continued his education at the University of Southern California where he received a double master's degree in health administration and public administration.
Throughout his 45-plus years in health care administration, he devoted extensive time and effort in mentoring and training future executives. He had teaching/preceptor appointments at several universities. He has received numerous awards and recognition from several veterans service organizations.
The American Hospital Association has identified him as the only blind chief executive officer among more than 5,000 hospitals in the United States. In 2010, he was invited to Washington, D.C., to receive the 2009 Presidential Rank Award. This is the highest award that can be given to a member of the federal government in senior executive service and is granted to only the top 2 percent of senior executives.
Downtown Huntington has a Homeless Veterans Resource Center as a result of Seiler's efforts. He secured more than $500,000 in building renovation and start-up costs for the project. The center has been recognized on national television as a model for reducing the homeless population in American cities. In 2012, the center was featured on the show "Extreme Makeover."
In addition, he coached youth soccer and Little League baseball. He is on the board of directors of Doctor's Care in Cabell County. About 12 years ago, he became totally blind and encouraged other blind individuals to pursue education and career opportunities by reassuring them that blindness need not deter them from their life goals.
