Senator Joseph Seng View All Years

DR. JOE M. SENG

Joseph M. Seng, Jr., was born on September 27, 1946, in Davenport, Iowa, to Joseph M. Seng, Sr., and Elsie Ales Seng. He passed away on September 16, 2016, at the age of 69. He is survived by his wife Mary; daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and Pat Dooley; and two grandsons, Gavin and Finn.

Seng graduated from Lost Nation High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine in 1970 from Iowa State University. Seng owned and operated the St. Francis Veterinary Hospital in west Davenport. He was a member of many local, state, and national veterinary associations. He was known for his dedication to his veterinary practice and to the people who brought their pets to him, often without the ability to pay. Seng also owned the Renwick Mansion Bed and Breakfast and Joe’s Club. He was married to Mary Kresser on June 16, 2015.

Seng won a seat on the Davenport City Council in 1995. He also served as mayor pro tem. In 2000, he ran for the Iowa House of Representatives and he served for one term. In 2002, he was elected to the Iowa Senate, and easily won re-election in subsequent years. Seng was known to share his musical talents on the Senate floor, playing his accordion for special events and at the close of the sessions.

Seng took great interest in his community, serving as a member of the Knights of Columbus, the NAACP, the Scott County Historical Preservation Society, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society, the Catholic Church, and as president and CEO of Marquette Academy elementary school. He received national recognition from the American Humane Society for his efforts to prevent animal cruelty. He was honored by many organizations, including the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. He was named Legislator of the Year by the Izaak Walton League.

Dr. Joe M. Seng was a Scott County Democrat. He served in the Iowa House from 2001–2002, and in the Senate from 2002–2016, during the 79th, 80th, 81st, 82nd, 83rd, 84th, 85th, and 86th General Assemblies.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable Joseph M. Seng, the State has lost an honored citizen and faithful and useful public servant, and that the Senate by this resolution expresses its appreciation of his service to the State and tenders its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

Wally E. Horn

Jim Lykam

Roby Smith

Committee