Diss Boys Secondary Modern teacher who taught rural science is fondly remembered after his death at the age of 93

A charismatic teacher, farmer, horticulturist and rural enthusiast, who possessed curious anecdotes and an encyclopaedic knowledge, has been fondly remembered.

Richard Seaman, known as Dick to those close to him, lived in Roydon for most of his life and taught rural science at Diss Boys Secondary Modern for more than 25 years.

During that time, he was known for turning the rural science department in to a vibrant, buzzing branch of the school, filled with goats, geese and donkeys, complete with greenhouses, garden plots and a poultry unit.

Mr Seaman, who was known to regularly ride a horse and trap to work each day, died at Walcot Hall nursing home in Diss on November 8, aged 93.

“There are so many facets to his personality and his achievements,” said his 54-year-old son, Will.

“He had a great Pavarotti-style tenor voice and sang in operas; he taught himself wheelwrighting and blacksmithing, became a very accomplished horseman; and he was fascinated by the natural world.

“He took on the tenancy of The Pheasantry in Roydon while working as a teacher in the 1960s and, for two or three years, he went through the whole season of ploughing, drilling and seeding just with a horse-drawn plough and traditional methods.

“Dad was a Quaker his whole life and was a throwback to the old ways of farming and enjoyed turning The Pheasantry in to a small holding.

“He loved looking after animals, was an encyclopaedia of horticultural knowledge and could name any plant you pointed out to him.

“He also played the trombone and led the school’s brass band, as well as being part of the New Buckenham Silver Band, but, mostly, people remember his time in teaching.

“When I tell people he has died, that initial sadness always seems to be replaced by a smile and an anecdote about his wit or mischief. He really did squeeze every drop out of his time on this planet.”

Mr Seaman is remembered fondly, not only by his former pupils but by former colleagues, with Roger Challoner, from Shelfanger, describing him and his late wife, Ethel, as “lovely people and kindness itself” when he was a young teacher.

He said: “Dick was an outstanding personality and a deep lover of all things rural.

“Under Dick’s direction, the rural science department became a large and vibrant entity, with garden plots, greenhouses, poultry unit and a large stock centre.

“His lessons were always invigorating. Thank you, Dick, for an eventful, hilarious and wise introduction to a teaching career. You will long be remembered.”

Mr Seaman is survived by two of his three children, Jill Farrer and Will, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at Diss Quaker meeting house on Tuesday at 1pm. All are welcome to attend and there will be a wake at Park Hotel afterwards.