Sam was born in Holway, WI in July, 1935. After graduating from Medford High School he served in the US Army in Korea as a medic. In 1959 he married Karen Hatlestad and they settled in Madison WI.
On August 5, 1963 Sam was hired by Eastern and he and Karen relocated in Elgin, IL. After retiring from Eastern he and Karen returned to Park Fall, WI. Sam continued to fly for Trans North Air, a charter airline in Eagle River, WI. He was also a volunteer fireman for the Pike Lake Fire Department.
Sam succumbed from the effects of Parkinson's disease in November, 2012. He and Karen were married for fifty-three years and he is survived by Karen, three sons, Michael, Daniel, James, a daughter, Mary Beth, their spouses and thirteen grandchildren.