Former Highline Public Schools Superintendent Robert Sealey, 79, died of cancer Oct. 15 in his Lake Burien home.

Dr. Sealey served as superintendent from 1972 through 1981.

"Bob guided the district through the difficult times of enrollment decline," said Marsha Spreier, current co-director of elementary education. "Over an approximate eight-year period, (the district) went from 32,000 to 18,000 students as a result of recession, airport expansion, which swallowed whole neighborhoods, and empty-nest syndrome in our community.

"Bob skillfully led the tricky work of downsizing and school closures."

Assistant superintendent Geri Fain also remembers the days of declining enrollment, double-levy failures and staff layoffs.

"The strength of a person is often measured in how they handle adversity, and Bob handled it with strength and grace," Fain said. "He led the process very humanely but also very effectively."

Fain first knew Dr. Sealey as her principal at Highline High School when she was a student body officer. He later hired her as a teacher, principal and administrator.

But despite the work pressures, Dr. Sealey's son, Bob Sealey Jr., said his dad "never brought it home."