By Shawn O. Walker COLUMBUS, Ohio Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and Northwest Bank are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald J. Seiffert. He died unexpectedly of natural causes on Tuesday. The Northwest Bancshares and Northwest Bank Boards of Directors held a meeting last night in accordance with the companies’ succession plan, appointing Chief Financial Officer William W. Harvey Jr. as interim President and Chief Executive Officer, and Lead Director Timothy B. Fannin.