I have always cherished the letters I got from Sam over the years. His cassettes, like From An East Texas Childhood are all on CDs now -- thanks to this computer. --- When Carol and I lived on the Oregon coast in the late 1960s, I really became enraptured by the low tide-pools and the creatures living just a short climb down the cliff that descended to the Pacific where our yard ended. One day Sam sent me a signed copy of his book called "SEASHORE LIFE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA." -- I'm looking at it right now. Before I got this great soft cover introduction to the animal life of California beaches, I waded through Joel Hedgpeth's edition of Ed Ricketts' seminal work called BETWEEN PACIFIC TIDES. Sam knew I'd be better able to assimilate his book than Rickets' fine volume. --- It's a great loss to me personally not to have Sam as close as a phone call away. We never managed to meet, but he was sure a mentor-from-afar to me---for fifty years!

Rest In Peace, Sam. It was a pleasure to know you!!

Art and Carol Thieme