Darwin (Sam) Allen Sampson, 74, died Friday, April 21, 2017, at Custer Regional Hospital in Custer, SD following a 40+ year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

He leaves his wife of 46 years: Jean (Kotas) Sampson; his daughter: Amanda Richardson (husband: Brandon and daughter: Piper); his parents: Wayne and Alice (Buchheim) Sampson; his brother: Gordy Sampson (Cindy); his brother: Terry Sampson (Dana); his sister: Gayle Burshiem (Derek); and many close friends.

Sam was born and raised in Highmore, SD. After graduating from Highmore High School in 1961, he attended Northern State College, graduating in 1965, with degrees in Math, General Science and Education.
Sam taught in Kennebec, SD, Sturgis, SD, West Bend, IA, Auckland, New Zealand and Hill City, SD. While teaching, Sam also continued his own education and attended SDSM&T and USD, receiving a Masters in Math. He met his wife, Jean, while attending USD and they were married in 1971. He taught high school math, chemistry, physics, and computer programming from 1968-2000. Sam was awarded the SDSM&T Outstanding Teacher Award in 1997.

Outside of school, Sam enjoyed hunting elk (the latest from Dec, 2016), moose and big horn sheep. He also enjoyed travelling and has been with his family across the US (including Alaska and Hawaii) and around the world (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada, Sweden and Brazil).

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 3, 2017, at the Hill City High School Theater in Hill City, SD.

Memorial donations will be given to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer.