To Mark Seglem, former President George H.W. Bush’s words ring true: “There can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.”
The truth is, service has always been a guiding force for the Aurora Public Schools (APS) Chief Operating Officer. It was never a chore. It was a calling—one that led Seglem to serve in the U.S. Navy, retiring more than 20 years later as Commander.
“The military is one avenue to serve, and it was the right one for me,” he said. Now, Seglem brings that same service-driven passion to APS and we’re proud to honor him for Veterans Day.
Surprised by how much he loved going to sea, Seglem ditched his land legs with no hesitation and rose up the ranks to reach every sailor’s dream: Command at Sea.
“When I was selected as Captain to command the guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG-52), it was my dream come true,” he said.
Leading his crew to win the prestigious Battenberg Cup as the finest ship in the Atlantic Fleet remains a crowning achievement. I had the best Officers, Chief Petty Officers, and Crew in the Navy,” he shared, crediting those who made it all possible.
As he ventured around the world, Seglem channeled a spirit of wonder and gratitude. I loved experiencing people and cultures from around the world,” he said. “You learn that America isn't the only wonderful place on the planet.”
Despite his far-reaching travels, there’s still one continent he has yet to set sail to: Antarctica. It’s a journey he’s saving for retirement.
Of course, balancing his demanding life at sea with family ties was no small feat. In a time before the Internet, Seglem recalls how “snail mail was it.” Letters sometimes took six weeks to reach him, and while rare and expensive calls over HAM radio allowed brief connections, they lacked romance.
“Imagine a three-minute call to your spouse where every sentence ends with ‘over’,” he chuckled. But those challenges made homecomings even sweeter. “My family was always there, waiting for me on the pier after a long deployment.”
Seglem eventually found himself on the other side of homecomings as his legacy of service lives on through his two sons, both Marines. His oldest is a retired infantry officer and his youngest is an attack helicopter pilot who recently led an NFL game flyover!
If you think that concludes Seglem’s legacy, impact or service, think again. He’s devoted to supporting fellow veterans, serving on the Board of Directors for Angels of America's Fallen and as community ambassador at Mount Carmel Veteran Service Center.
Reflecting on how his past career shaped him, Seglem says, “I learned how to be compassionate yet lead people to higher standards, to build teams and credit others with the team’s success.” In many ways, he finds that spirit of a shared mission in APS.
Whether navigating the seas or championing education, Mark Seglem remains anchored in service. Aurora Public Schools is proud to salute him and all who have served in the U.S. military.
To those who bear the weight and pride of a loved one who serves, we wish you all a happy Military Families Month.
