Statue honoring doctor unveiled

DON FRAZIER * dfrazier@semissourian.com

Richard Montgomery, far left, sculptor Allen Gibson and Pat Seabaugh unveiled a life-size polychrome bronze depicting Dr. William Seabaugh, a mare and her colt, Capetown, during ceremonies held at the Capetown, Assisted Living by Americare in Cape Girardeau on Monday.By Tony Rehagen ~ Southeast Missourian

William O.L. Seabaugh dedicated his life to human health and horses. His family and friends have dedicated a statue that will immortalize Seabaugh and his passions.

The Seabaugh family and the administration and staff of Capetown, Assisted Living by Americare gathered at the center in Cape Girardeau on Monday to unveil a 7-foot, 6-inch polychrome bronze memorial depicting the doctor, who died in 2001, a mare and a colt named Capetown.

"We wanted to show our gratitude to him for all he did in his life," said Richard Montgomery, Seabaugh's son-in-law and owner of Americare. His Sikeston, Mo.-based company built Capetown Assisted Living, which opened in January on land that used to be Seabaugh's Cape LaCroix Farm on Route W. The company commissioned Allen Gibson of Dexter, Mo., to design and build the statue.

Seabaugh acquired the farm from his father in the 1960s, and following a lifetime of showing and riding his father's horses he continued to breed the Tennessee walking horses for which his family became regionally renowned. One such horse was Capetown, the farm's first American Saddlebred champion. The colt, the care center's namesake, was one of Seabaugh's favorites.

When he wasn't busy with his equestrian pursuits, Seabaugh was a doctor practicing at both Cape Girardeau hospitals, as well as running the Cape Girardeau nursing home LaCroix Manor, which has since become Heartland Care Rehab Center.

That's why his wife, Patricia, thinks the installment of her late husband's statue and his horses in front of an assisted living center is especially appropriate. She said it's also fitting because it connects the location to its past.

"Anyone who's been past there remembers that there were always horses in that field," she said.

trehagen@semissourian.com

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