Sam Cambell

For 96 years, Samuel Cambell was a blessing in the lives of all who knew and loved him. A man of strong moral character, the integrity with which he carried himself provided a tremendous example. His strong convictions coupled with pure common sense was an attribute that served Sam well. Wise and practical, he was in all ways a loving and dedicated provider for his family. He will be truly missed.

As the culture of America was quickly evolving, the threat of World War I loomed overseas. It was during this time in 1913 that great strides were being made in all aspects of American life. The first assembly line was established, and at 60 stories, the acclaimed Woolworth Building was completed in New York City. For Samuel and Helen (Bohme) Cambell of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the year brought blessed changes on December 19, 1913 as they welcomed the birth of Samuel Gary into their loving arms at home.

The youngest of three children, Sam joined his siblings, Anne and Joseph. Samuel’s father owned a tool and instrument sharpening business on Bridge Street NW near their home where his mother looked after the children as a homemaker. When it came to play, Sam enjoyed a typical childhood growing up while making many friends throughout the neighborhood. As a boy he loved many sports but especially liked playing basketball. Sam’s family later moved to a home nearby on 9th Street NW.

Sam’s father immigrated to the U.S. from Czechoslovakia where he was once an accomplished member of the symphony. He was thrilled to discover Sam was musically inclined and watched Sam teach himself to play the violin. Sam attended Stocking Elementary School and went on to Union High School where he played basketball on the school team and the YMCA as well. Along with basketball, Sam was a member of the YMCA swim team and even got into boxing for a time. He graduated from Union High School in 1932.

In the depths of the Great Depression, times were a struggle for everyone. After high school Sam hopped a train with friends to California in search of work and opportunity, but soon returned home. This time in Sam‘s life had a tremendous impact on him. He knew well the meaning of struggle, and the value of a dollar. In many ways the hardships he faced shaped his hard working and thrifty nature. In time Sam acquired a job as an apprentice for General Motors Corporation as a tool and die maker where he remained for the next ten years. He then went to work for the Lear Siegler Corporation in downtown Grand Rapids as a tool and die maker.

At the age of 32, Sam continued living the life of a single man, but not for long. Through a friend, Sam accepted a blind date and met a beautiful young girl of 22 named Elma Hetzman. They shared much on that first date and realized they worked just across the street from one another. Elma swept Sam off his feet and the feeling was mutual. In a short time their dating relationship turned to love and on October 18, 1947 they exchanged vows in the presence of a local Justice of the Peace. Since Sam’s mother had died earlier, Sam and Elma lived with Sam’s father who had cancer and cared for him. When his father died in 1948, they remained living in Sam‘s family home where they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Charmaine.

In 1951 Sam and Elma built a home on Webster NW, making a wonderful home to raise their family. Blessed with the addition of Samuel and Kathleen, Melissa completed their family. Loving and dedicated parents, they were always involved with their children’s school activities. Sam and Elma raised their family in faith as members of Wesleyan Methodist Church where they were each active. Memorable family vacations were spent visiting Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and great times in Montana, too. Avid campers, they enjoyed camping at many Michigan parks throughout the years.

Sam loved to putter in his workshop. He was always fixing this, hammering away at that, or just plain tinkering with something. He loved to play cards with his buddies in the basement, usually cribbage, euchre and setback. Much to Elma’s dismay, the games would sometimes last until the wee hours. Over the years Sam could quite often be found on one of his favorite golf courses. He had a passion for golf and rarely passed up a game. He was good at it too, even scoring a few holes-in-one. For many years he played on the Lear Siegler and YMCA’s golf teams. Sam held to his passion for the sport and until the age of 90. Typical of Sam, he remained a huge sports fan. Although he liked baseball and boxing, he continued to favor basketball. He never missed a game during March madness, and was an avid MSU fan.

During their free time, Sam and Elma enjoyed watching Johnny Carson and All in the Family, and he always read the newspaper from cover to cover daily. Sam retired from Lear Siegler in 1976 after 32 years of faithful service to the company, and retirement provided much opportunity. Having joined West Leonard Christian Reformed Church in 1980, Sam served as an usher there and together he and Elma ushered for the Civic Theater in downtown Grand Rapids. In 1984 the pair became official “snowbirds” after buying a home in Mesa, Arizona where they wintered. Outgoing and fun loving, they made many new friends while Sam golfed to his heart’s content. They visited flea markets often and went for long walks together to stay fit.

After 22 years with a home in Arizona, Sam and Elma decided to sell their house there. They moved from their beloved Webster Street home in 1984 and purchased a home on Collindale NW. They loved spending time with their grandchildren, and of course, Sam taught them how to play golf. He even babysat for the grandkids, often taking them to Richmond Park or the beach to swim. His infamous line was always “Ah Nuts”, and was often heard when something didn’t go quite the way he expected.

Although physically fit for most of his life, Sam had a bout with colon cancer three years ago but recovered nicely. Other than foot surgery, he suffered from congestive heart failure the past few years and had several heart attacks last year. His health began to diminish over the past year, causing him to become less active and home bound. As his condition worsened, Sam was placed in Hospice care three months ago to keep him stabilized and comfortable. Sadly, Sam died on Tuesday morning, March 23, 2010 at the age of 96 at home in the presence of his loving family.

While forever remaining in the hearts of those he leaves behind, Sam leaves a legacy of love as a wonderful provider and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Sam is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elma Cambell; his children: Charmaine and Robert Konyndyk, Samuel H. Cambell (his friend, Sandra Snell), Kathleen and Michael Edrington, Melissa and Jon Heyboer; six grandchildren: Paul (Amanda) Konyndyk, Mark (Teresa) Konyndyk, Stephanie Waid, Tanya Jansen, Michael (Andrea) Edrington, Lisa (Nicholas) Curnow, and Nathan Heyboer; four great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.

A service to celebrate Sam’s life will be held Friday, March 26, 2010, 11:00 AM at West Leonard Christian Reformed Church, 1053 Leonard St. NW. Relatives and friends may meet his family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home–Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Thursday, 2-4 and 7-9 PM and at the church Friday from 10:00 AM until the service. Contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels or Spectrum Health Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory and to sign his online guest book.