After just two years in office Zeidler resigned his position as mayor to enlist in the United States Navy Reserve to fight in World War II.

His merchant marine ship and all hands died the coast of South Africa in December 1942 after being hit by a German U-boat U-159 torpedo attack.

His rise to power was orchestrated by young writers Robert Bloch (later the author of Psycho) and Harold Gauer, who created elaborate campaign shows.

He comments bitterly on how, after Zeidler's election, they were ignored and not even paid their promised salaries, while credit was taken by local establishment figures like Milton Rice Polland instead.

After a year in office, Zeidler came to believe he could best help the war effort by enlisting; he resigned his position as mayor and accepted a Naval Reserve commission on April 8, 1942.