OBITUARY

James “Jim” Rimpau Seals, a physician and local yachtsman, died aboard

his yacht, Dos Focas, in Newport Harbor on Jan. 2. He was 75.

Mr. Seals was born in Los Angeles on Sept. 11, 1924, and was a

sixth-generation Californian.

He was the great-great-grandson of Don Francisco De Avila and Dona

Encarnacion Sepulveda De Avila, who came to Los Angeles about 1790 and

built the historic Avila adobe, Los Angeles’ oldest building still

standing on Olvera Street.

For the past 14 years, Mr. Seals and his wife, Mary, lived in Palm

Springs. They were in the process of building their dream home in

Carlsbad.

Mr. Seals was a graduate of USC and UCI Medical School. He practiced as

an obstetrician and gynecologist in Orange County for more than 30 years,

delivering more than 10,000 babies during his career.

Mr. Seals also helped found several hospitals in Orange County. He was a

member of the California Medical Assn. During World War II, Mr. Seals

served as a medic in the Army while stationed in the Philippines.

Mr. Seals’ passion for boating was well known. He participated in 10

Transpac races from Los Angeles to Honolulu, 22 Newport to Ensenada

races, and sailed to Hawaii on four separate trips by himself.

He spent the last 15 years cruising the coasts of California and Mexico.

He was a member of the Balboa Yacht Club and was a past commodore of the

Voyagers Yacht Club.

In addition to his wife, Mary N. Seals, he is survived by his stepmother,

Helen Seals; his sister, Nancy Hadden; his children, Susan Seals, Bill

Seals, Dan Seals, and Kelly Phifer; and six grandchildren.

A burial at sea is planned for 10 a.m. today. A memorial service will

follow at noon. The family is asking in lieu of flowers that donations be

made in Mr. Seals’ honor to: Newport Balboa Sailing & Seamanship Assn.,

Attn: John Pentz, c/o Balboa Yacht Club, 1801 Bayside Drive, Corona del

Mar 92625.