Sally Stoddard Seebaum
A Wyoming native, Sally Stoddard Seebaum grew up on a ranch just outside of Douglas in Bill, Wyoming. After graduating high school, Seebaum attended the University of Wyoming where she received her business degree- something not all women were doing in 1964 and certainly unusual for a ranch girl from Wyoming.
Following graduation and a stint accompanying her husband, Bernie, who served in the United States Army, Sally and Bernie returned to Douglas and she put her degree to work teaching business at the high school. This would not be her role for long though, as Seebaum would soon be diving into the world of real estate.
It all began when the Seebaums decided to return to the Douglas area and become associated with the Stoddard Ranches, Sally’s family’s business. They leased a ranch from Lucille Combs, an active real estate agent in the community. Upon meeting Sally, Combs immediately saw potential. Thinking she would make a great partner, Combs asked Sally to join her in the real estate business. Two women going into business together was not necessarily a traditional concept at the time but Seebaum liked the idea, thought it would be interesting, and thought they could be successful. Not only that, because she had just earned her business degree she had confidence that she was qualified.
Seebaum began wading into the partnership, working part-time, but soon realized the business was not something she could simply work part time at if she truly wanted to make a go of it. “I realized there is no part time in real estate,” she says. Soon after Seebaum quit teaching and started full time with Combs at ComSee Real Estate. The joint venture was a good one. After Combs’ retirement Sally’s husband Bernie joined her in helping run the successful business; both retiring after 25 years of work.
A strong businesswoman is not all that Seebaum is known for in the Douglas community. She is also active in her church, First United Methodist, and can always be seen at the community blood drives as well as other volunteer activities. Perhaps where her involvement is most noticeable though is in her volunteer work with Hospice and the American Cancer Society, driving patients to Casper for treatment.
When Seebaum was thirty, her mom was diagnosed with cancer and ended up passing away when Sally was thirty-four. Seebaum says that she realizes now how helpful it would have been to have a program like Hospice. Since 1995 both she and her husband, whose mother also died of cancer, have volunteered with the Hospice program and love the work. Seebaum says of the patients, “They are amazing people!”
It is also clear upon talking to Sally that she is devoted to the program. Even though it is no longer in the Douglas community, Seebaum makes the hour drive to Casper often with patients often in order for them to receive treatment. Hospice is a program that Seebaum is proud to be a part of and she continues to find ways to be involved.
Not only has Seebaum been a great example of success in business, she made it a priority to give back to her community. For that, Douglas and Wyoming are thankful!
|
