N. Wayne Sellman

N. Wayne Sellman April 26, 1943 – May 8, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wayne Sellman on May 8, 2025, at the age of 82.

N. Wayne Sellman was born April 26, 1943, in Glenns Ferry, Idaho, to parents Wilbur Eugene and Thelma Lorraine (Eldredge) Sellman.  Wayne was their second son with brother, Wilbur Jr., being the firstborn.  It was after his dad’s return home from Okinawa after WWII that sister Aleta and brother Roger joined the family.

Wayne spent his childhood years in Glenns Ferry with his loving extended family, living both in town and on the family ranch.  He always enjoyed reminiscing about the many adventures and escapades of his youth and about the wonderful friendships he formed while living in Glenns Ferry.

Wayne’s family moved to Boise when he was in the 7th grade, where he attended North Junior High and graduated from Boise High School in 1961.  It was during this time that his parents built the Haven Lodge in Lowman.  This was the location of many family gatherings, the making of lifelong family friends, and hunting and fishing outings.  Wayne oversaw the swimming pool during the summer as well as the gas pumps at the lodge.  His favorite task, however, was starting the dances held at the lodge on Friday and Saturday nights!

After high school, Wayne spread his wings and moved to Montana for a construction job.  He eventually came back to Boise and worked on various construction projects, including for his dad’s construction company, before signing up with Peter Kiewit Construction.  It was while he was working for them that he ran the Pioneer caterpillar between Lowman and Stanley building the new road.  Wayne enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1966 and was a tank commander at Gowen Field.  

In 1967, Wayne married Joyce Johnson (they later divorced) and son Michael Todd was born in 1968.  After becoming a father and realizing that his current employment would not provide him with a life for his family (and that Corvette he had always wanted), Wayne enrolled in higher education and graduated from Boise State College (BSC) with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1973.  

Wayne and Davene “Davy” Doty married in 1986 in Corvallis, Oregon, which was the beginning of their love story that would last 39 years until his unfortunate passing. 

 Wayne had an extraordinary 39-year career with CH2M HILL, a global engineering and construction company.  It began in 1969 when he was hired part-time to wash the company cars on weekends while attending college.  He quickly demonstrated his strong work ethic and exceptional leadership potential and business acumen.  While still a student at BSC, he began taking on roles in business management in the Boise office where he was later appointed as the Regional Administrative Manager.  In 1977 he was promoted to District Administrative Manager for the Rocky Mountain District requiring a move to Denver, Colorado where he was promoted to Vice President.

In 1982, Wayne was assigned as the Deputy Program Manager for Administration in Washington, DC for a series of contracts with the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that evaluated and remediated uncontrolled hazardous waste sites throughout the country.  These contracts were the beginning of CH2M HILL’s involvement in the hazardous waste business and were the largest contracts by revenue in the company’s history at that time.  His innovations in contract negotiations and in engaging the company’s workforce to successfully deliver these direct federal contracts were instrumental in the company’s 20+ year relationship with USEPA.

While in this role, Wayne led the formation of CH2M HILL’s contracts and procurement organization that served a critical part in the company’s growth in its business with the US government.  These new responsibilities brought him back to the firm’s corporate headquarters in Denver in 1990.  He was a key participant in the creation and management of CH2M HILL Federal Group, LTD, a special entity to hold and deliver the firm’s growing volume of federal business.  While in Denver, he also supported the very successful nuclear cleanup project at Rocky Flats and played a key role in its cost-reduction program.

From 2000 to 2006, Wayne was assigned a leadership role on the firm’s water and wastewater work with the USAID in the Palestine West Bank.  This role required him to spend substantial time in the Middle East.  He directed safety and security in a very dangerous work environment.  He also negotiated and expanded the scope and duration of projects that provided critical infrastructure to Palestinian cities and villages in support of the Oslo Accords.

In 2004, he was transferred back to Boise, and later served as the program support manager on the GARVEE Transportation program in partnership with the Idaho Department of Transportation.  This was the largest civil infrastructure project ever undertaken by the State of Idaho at that time.

Wayne experienced health issues in late 2006 necessitating his stepping away from the GARVEE program.  He continued to support the company on special projects as his health allowed until his retirement in 2008.

Wayne was one of a few subject matter experts that were able to successfully leverage their backgrounds and experience to provide a substantial contribution to the overall success of CH2M HILL.  His knowledge of federal contracting was vital to the company’s growth in its work with the US government.  At the height of his career, over 40 percent of CH2M HILL’s business was with the federal government employing thousands of engineers, scientists, environmentalists, construction managers, and technicians.  He was an innovator, “master negotiator,” mentor, coach, teacher, motivator, and friend.  Countless people owe much of their career successes to Wayne’s leadership and contributions.  He was, as one colleague said, “one of a kind” and “impossible to forget.”

Although Wayne traveled the world for CH2M HILL and logged more than a million miles with United Airlines, he was most at home in the Idaho mountains.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, side-by-side rides, camping, and exploring out-of-the-way places.  He always held a special place in his heart for Lowman, Stanley, and their place in New Meadows.  He led an athletic and active life ranging from wrestling in high school to dirt bike riding, competitive racquet ball, skiing, and golf.  One of his most memorable golf outings was in 2019 when he shot a hole-in-one!  While in Colorado he became interested in Mountain Men Rendezvous and developed a passion for forging and building knives and leather scabbards.  Wayne  also built a black powder pistol and an ATV trailer.  He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed learning about the Civil War and Mountain Man era.  However, what he loved best was the time spent with family and friends.  Wayne had fond memories of many hunting/fishing trips, vacations to historical places, and travels down country roads.  One trip in particular that stood out to Wayne as being special was an Alaskan cruise with the “Sellman Party of 8.”  He was so excited about becoming a Grandpa to Todd and Lisa’s son due in June.

Wayne was a Paul Harris Rotarian; Past Commander American Legion Post 83, Bruneau, Idaho; and Past Chairman Ducks Unlimited, Douglas County, Colorado.  He attended Eagle Christian Church and was baptized in the Jordan River by Pastor Steve Crane in 2018.  

When Wayne and Davy would reminisce about their careers and life together, he often would say, “We did pretty good for a couple of country kids.”  Wayne will be missed by all who knew him and will forever reside in our hearts.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Kari Johnston, stepdaughter Kim Peters, brother Wilbur Jr., and his beloved Labrador dogs.  He is survived by his wife Davy, son Todd, daughter-in-law Lisa, and grandson Cody Wayne (due date June 2025).  He is also survived by his brother Roger Sellman; sister Aleta Ward; special cousins Chet and Cathy Sellman; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Viewing will be 4:00 – 6:00 pm Sunday, June 1, at Summers Ustick Chapel, 3629 E. Ustick Road, Meridian, Idaho.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, June 2, at Eagle Christian Church in the Chapel, Door 5, 100 S. Short Road, Eagle, Idaho.  A short committal service will follow at 1:00 pm at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend Road, Boise, Idaho.

Donations may be made to the American Legion Post #83, PO Box 582, Bruneau, ID 83604.