Obituary of TR Samsell

On the afternoon of Thursday June 12, 2014 Theodore Roosevelt Samsell (98), known to his friends and family as Pete, passed away at his home in Eugene, Oregon. Theodore Roosevelt “Pete” Samsell entered this world on July 24, 1915 at the family home in Morgantown, W. Va.. He was the 4th of 5 children born to John Grove and Lena ‘Lennie’ Phillips Samsell. At an early age, he developed an interest in the natural world that lasted his entire life. He also learned to love music, played the piano and had a great singing voice, which he used at every opportunity. In 1932, at the age of 17, he rode the rails across the country and back, joining hundreds of World War I Bonus Marchers. He remembered traveling up the Columbia River on top of a boxcar.On October 4, 1940 he married Nancy Leith, who shared his love of birds, wild flowers and nature. Soon after their marriage, Pete started studying zoology at West Virginia University. Their son James was born in 1943, and later that year, as Pete said, “Uncle Sam invited me to join the Army”. He trained in communications and was a radio operator in an armored car in Italy. Just before the war ended, his car was bombed and he was captured by the Germans. Held prisoner in a convoy, Pete was able to escape and eventually return to his fellow soldiers in the 34th Division. After the war, he resumed his studies at WVU and graduated in 1947, the same year daughter Ann was added to the family.After graduation, Pete started his career as a wildlife biologist in Charleston, W. Va. with the W. Va. State Dept. of Natural Resources. He enjoyed being in the woods, fishing the rivers and traveling the state that he loved so much. There wasn’t an animal in need that he would turn away, and friends still tell many stories of a bear cub, a sparrow hawk named Hilary, two baby squirrels, a fox, a crow, and an injured fawn, among others, that were all rescued by Pete and adored by his family. In 1966, after working his way up through the ranks, he was appointed Director of the Department of Natural Resources, a job that included managing all of the state’s hunting and fishing areas and parks.In 1970, he joined Continental Oil Company in Washington, D.C., as Director of Environmental Control. During his time with Conoco Pete helped found IPIECA, the global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues. For the next decade, he traveled the world, overseeing their projects and making sure they complied with environmental regulations. Nancy often accompanied him on these trips and they enjoyed exploring many countries in Europe, the middle-east and Central America. When Pete retired in 1981, they continued to travel, mostly in the United States, and never tired of finding what amazing things “Ma Nature” provides.After 60 years of marriage, Nancy passed away in 2000 and Pete decided to move to Oregon to be near family. He continued to enjoy traveling, bird watching, singing (especially with his dog Rhodie) and gatherings with family and friends. He always had a glass of wine at 7:00p.m.!Pete was an avid outdoorsman, roaming the hills of West Virginia and beyond with his family and ol’ hunting buddies. Always ready with a cheerful song or a great story, Pete made friends with everyone he met. His songs and stories will be missed, but retold by all who love him.Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; his two sisters, Elsie Virginia ‘Ginny’ and Edith Katherine ‘Kate’ Canfield; his two brothers, Lewis Hildreth ‘Lewie’ and John Phillips ‘Jack’; and many friends and loved ones.Pete is survived by son James Leith Samsell of Santa Fe, New Mexico; daughter Ann Grove Samsell and her partner Ann Warren of Eugene, Oregon; granddaughter Molly Hickman Samsell and her partner David Michael Hess of Santa Fe, NM; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, great-grandnephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom were very special and important to him.At his request, there will be no formal service. Inurment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, sometime next fall. Memorial contributions can be made to Friends of Blackwater, P.O. Box 1231, Cambridge, MD 21613.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary.