I knew Sam as only a child can; he was my stepfather. Mozart's horn concertos were the soundtrack of my youth and, to this day, cause me to stop in my tracks and think of Sam. What I loved most about Sam, however, was not his love for music and his unique ability to nurture that love in his children and students. Instead, it was his absolute commitment to tinkering. He helped me (no, took over) with my Cub Scout projects, as well as helped solve puzzles, build treehouses and forts. After he and my Mom separated and I was living in Tennessee, Sam and I carried on a lengthy correspondence in which we played chess -- mailing our moves to each other. I'll remember him fondly.
John A. Bourgeois, esq.