I'm also saddened to hear news of Sam's passing. Like others here - I initially got to know Sam through the Mudcat; I later had some long, whisky-fueled phone conversations and eventually visited him at his Stewart Island dwelling in January 2007. My partner and I were there in the deep south to do some tramping and learned from Sam how he'd helped pioneer the epic northwest circuit route on Stewart Island (it takes 12 days on foot to complete), back in the 1970-80s, cutting the track and helping with the hut construction. Apparently Sam really loved being off in the bush, before ill health overtook him. I will remember him as a very generous and convivial person. RIP Sam.