Stuart D. Seffern

MADISON SEFFERN, STUART  D.   Stuart D. Seffern, age 50, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 1, 2009, with Debbie Loiselle, his partner of 30 years in a tragic airplane accident.  He was born March 20, 1958, in New York City, the son of John J. and Billee (Riley) Seffern.  He was also the step-son of Carl H. Ludders Jr. and Arlene (Stillman) Seffern.  Stuart met Debbie while attending college for mechanical engineering at the University of WI, Madison where they both lived in the Roundhouse apartments on the lake.     Stuart was the owner of Madison Area Carpet Cleaning, a successful company he built and ran for 29 years.  He also served as the State, Congressional District 2 Representative to the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin where he was outspoken for smaller and more efficient government.   He was often interviewed on local radio stations, including WIBA, WKOW and WI public radio concerning his views on politics, government, and tax issues such as the proposed Madison trolley plan (which he opposed). He was an experienced pilot who had logged thousands of hours of flying since beginning flight lessons as a teenager.  He was president for five years of the Lantzair Flyers Club whose members build, own and fly private airplanes. He was part owner of an area hotel and a new hotel being built in Madison.  Stuart was also very active in revitalizing the Burr Oaks Neighborhood that spans through the south side of the city of Madison and the town of Madison where Debbie grew up and where Debbie and Stuart lived. As president of the neighborhood association he initiated and participated for eight years in weekly walks through the neighborhood that transformed the area from one of the highest to one of the lowest for crime.  In the Town of Madison, he helped institute a citizen initiated, ticketing process to deter booming car stereos in residential neighborhoods that is now also being used in the City. He and Debbie also participated in Christmas and Easter events for neighborhood children and helped mentor their good friend's daughter. Stuart was a long time Board member of the South Metropolitan Planning Council and a member of Park Street Partners working to attract and promote businesses and projects that would enhance the neighborhood.      A prior member of the U.W. Hoofer sailing club, Stuart was a board member of the Mendota Yacht Club, and placed well season after season in area E-Scow races.  He was an expert skier and he also enjoyed golfing. He liked motorcycles and took motorcycle trips with Debbie in the summer.  He enjoyed traveling with his family, theater, photography, art and music.  He liked electronics and always had the latest ""toy.""   Stuart was a responsible, capable, hard working, optimist who lived life to the fullest.  He was smart, loyal, knowledgeable and resourceful.  He was very generous with his time, advice and money. He expected the best of himself and everyone.  He encouraged people to overcome fear, helped them form visions for their lives and supported them to carry their visions out.  He was very mischievous, had a great sense of humor and laugh, and would try anything. He strongly believed in freedom and hard work, and providing the right incentives to people to succeed. You could go to him for anything and he would drop everything to help. He was an outstanding individual and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.   Immediate survivors include his mother and step-father, Billee and Carl Ludders of Staten Island, NY; 1 sister Leslie Riley Seffern of Yelm, WA; 1 brother John Jay (and wife, Liane) Seffern of Belgium, his step-mother Arlene (Stillman) Seffern, Jonathan (Margaret), Daniel (Robin) and Tom Stillman, and Laura (Bill) Carraro.   Friends may call  from 11:00 to 2:00 and a service at 2:00 to celebrate Stuart and Debbie's life on Saturday, January 10 at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME.  Reverend Douglas Larson-Sell will officiate.  In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials in Stuart's name to Billee and Carl Ludders, 124 Tysen St., Staten Island, NY 10301. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3325 E. Washington Avenue (608) 249-6666