Hot Wheels, Soccer and a BMW Sedan: Wilder Seeburger’s Uncle Pays Tribute to the Teenager

(Editor’s Note: Jerry Eisner is the uncle of Wilder Seeburger, the 17-year-old who tragically lost his life in the crash on Center Road on August 16th. Read on for Jerry’s heartfelt note about his nephew. -jb)

So many unfinished drafts in my email. It turns out to be the perfect metaphor for Wilder Seeburger, whose life ended on August 16th at the young age of 17.

Every Sunday, Wilder could be spotted brunching with his grandmother Roberta. They doted on each other and had a special relationship for years. We had lunch with him the Friday before the accident, and he was confident, yet humble about his tryouts for Traverse City Central’s varsity soccer team.

His grandmother, his father Fred, and his Aunt Jamie all knew making the team wasn’t a question, but a statement. The team he was a part of made their own statement, coming from behind and winning their first game as their tribute to Wilder, and putting an exclamation point on the win, hoisting his #33 jersey on the goal after the game.

At lunch, we watched expensive cars moving slowly across Front Street, seemingly wanting to be seen. That led to our discussion on his next car. Wilder pulled out his phone and shared an ad for an older BMW sedan on sale for the low low price of $5,000.

His mother Felicia and her partner Dan had made arrangements for Wilder’s first vehicle, giving him the freedom every teenager dreams of. His love of cars went back as far as we can remember, when a bundle of Hot Wheels elicited pure joy.

That $5,000 was doable for him. He had his first grown-up job working as a host at Chili’s. He was well suited for the role, smiling at everyone, making everyone feel welcome. He got the job because a friend’s father was connected, just another testament to how Wilder was perceived by all who knew him.

We also talked about his future plans. As a Junior to be, he was beginning to have thoughts about life after high school. A possible scholarship for either academics or soccer or both were on the table. When the discussion turned to where, he mentioned U of M and MSU. At the table, we were not sure why this was even a question, as the family has a long line of Spartans across the family tree.

So many drafts, all waiting for the next line in the story, all knowing the stories would be positive, full of joy, and accomplishment — because that’s who Wilder was.

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