|
|
Post by scubalawyer on Aug 8, 2022 15:41:12 GMT -8
I received a call from Betty a few minutes ago. It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Sam yesterday, August 7, 2022. He went peacefully from natural causes with his family at his side in Pismo Beach, California. He was just over a month shy of his 91st birthday. Betty asked me to convey the news. Per his wishes there is no service planned. Please respect the family’s privacy at this time. Sam took me under his wing when I was a teenager back in the 1970's. We became fast friends and dive buddies and shared diving adventures from Baja to Northern California. I will miss him. Mark  |
|
|
|
Post by vance on Aug 8, 2022 16:04:48 GMT -8
I'm so sorry to hear that this SCUBA pioneer (and your friend) has passed. So many of the old guard are gone. I guess it's up to us to keep the flame burning....
|
|
|
|
Post by vance on Aug 8, 2022 16:07:04 GMT -8
As an aside, and no disrespect to the gravity of this thread, I love the mask lanyard Sam is sporting in the photo. Great idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by scubalawyer on Aug 8, 2022 17:39:34 GMT -8
As an aside, and no disrespect to the gravity of this thread, I love the mask lanyard Sam is sporting in the photo. Great idea. Sam and Ron Merker supposedly invented the mask lanyard in the late 1950's and Merker sold them in the Aquatic Center. Somebody else may have been doing the same thing elsewhere but Ron and Sam took the credit. 
|
|
|
|
Post by Aquala1 on Aug 11, 2022 9:55:39 GMT -8
Sad to hear.
|
|
|
|
Post by DavidRitchieWilson on Aug 11, 2022 11:52:14 GMT -8
Sad indeed. He was always on at me to write a book about diving equipment history and encouraged me to keep posting forum threads on the subject.
A long life well lived. He seemed to know everybody in the diving world on both sides of the Pond.
DRW
|
|
|
|
Post by SeaRat on Sept 15, 2022 8:51:26 GMT -8
Sam and I exchanged e-mails for a number of years. I always enjoyed his writings and his enthusiasm.
John
|
|
