H. Jack Seltzer

H. Jack Seltzer
80th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office January 2, 1979 – January 6, 1981
Preceded by	K. Leroy Irvis
Succeeded by	Matthew J. Ryan
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office December 15, 1977  – November 30, 1978
Preceded by	Robert Burtera
Succeeded by	Matt Ryan
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 101st district
In office January 7, 1969 – November 19, 1980
Preceded by	District created
Succeeded by	George Jackson
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Lebanon County district
In office January 1, 1957 – November 30, 1968
Personal details
Born	(1922-08-12)August 12, 1922 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died	February 28, 2011(2011-02-28) (aged 88) Scottsdale, Arizona
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Geneva S. Seltzer
Children	Michael J. (d. June 5, 1983), Craig H., Pamela Shepard, Patricia D. Wagoner

H. Jack Seltzer (August 12, 1922 – February 28, 2011) was a Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and owner of Seltzer's Lebanon Bologna Company. Seltzer was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1957. He was the first Speaker of the Pennsylvania House from Lebanon County. He died on February 28, 2011, at the age of 88.

Formative years and family

Harvey Jack Seltzer was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 1922. He grew up in Harrisburg and Palmyra.

He attended high school at Mercersburg Academy before enlisting in the United States Navy, serving as a petty officer first class in the Pacific during World War II.

He met his wife, Geneva Shepherd, while stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. They married in 1945, and moved to Palmyra after the war. He and his wife were married for sixty-five years, and had four children: Michael Jack Seltzer, who died in 1983, Craig Harvey Seltzer, who married Donna Curanzy, Pamela Shepherd, and Patricia Wagoner, who married Rolf Wagoner. Seltzer and his wife also had four grandchildren: Owen Michael Seltzer, Noah Michael Wagoner, Peter Austin Wagoner, and Geneva Esther Wagoner.

Business and legislative career

After the war, Seltzer reopened the family business, Seltzer's Lebanon Bologna Company, which had been started by his father in 1902.

He was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1957, and served twenty-four years, the last two years as Speaker of the House. He liked to say that he had the same job as Benjamin Franklin, who also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives in Pennsylvania.

Later years

After his retirement, the Seltzers moved to Scottsdale, Arizona and also spent six months traveling around the world. He enjoyed tennis, sailing, bridge, and curling.

Death and interment

Seltzer died on February 28, 2011, in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by his family.