Harvey Jack Seltzer was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 1922.

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 liked to say that he had the same job as Benjamin Franklin, who also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives in Pennsylvania.

After his retirement, the Seltzers moved to Scottsdale, Arizona and also spent six months traveling around the world.

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