Robert Daniel Sampson Sr.

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. — Robert Daniel Sampson Sr., 90, of Kennett Square, died Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Olive Louise (Smith) Sampson, who died in 2012, and with whom he shared 69 years and 4 months of marriage.

Born in Ironwood, Mich., in 1923, he was a son of the late James and Frances (Hudy) Sampson, and brother to Margaret, Raymond and Richard, all of whom predeceased him.

In 1943, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He attended recruit training at USMC Recruit Training Depot, Parris Island. During his recruit training, he was selected for Officers Candidate School. Upon his graduation from recruit training, and while awaiting a billet for OCS at Quantico, Va., he was assigned the duties of assistant drill instructor at Parris Island.

After he received his commission he attended Joint Army, Navy, Marine Radar School at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Eventually he was assigned to serve in the South Western Pacific Theatre of Operations as a communications officer. Upon his release from active duty, he had achieved rank of first lieutenant, USMCR.

Bob attended Michigan Technological University before and after his service in the USMC. True to his nature, he was very active within the college community. He lettered in football and ice hockey. He was selected for Blue Key Honor Society. He was also a member of Kappa Delta Psi, a social fraternity founded by World War I veterans at Michigan Tech.

He was a lifetime member of Geneva Lodge No. 139 AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies/Valley of Chicago and Medinah Temple of Shriners of North America. He was a member of The First Congregational Church of Westfield, N.J., and an American Association of Individual Investors lifetime member.

He enjoyed successful careers at Ingersoll Rand Company and Sullair Corporation, now a division of United Technologies. He was president and owner of Gauss Corporation, a “C” corporation engaged in manufacturing brushless DC generators used in hazardous locations common to oil and natural gas production, construction, mining and marine industries; its products are sold and marketed internationally.

Bob loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He leaves his surviving children, Nancy Sezginalp, of Charleston, S.C., Robert Sampson Jr., of Portland, Maine, Marcia Sampson, of Kennett Square, Jack R. Sampson, of Clinton N.J., and Richard and W. Sampson, of Unionville. In addition, he leaves eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating Bob’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the First Congregational Church of Westfield, 125 Elmer St., Westfield NJ 07090.

Interment will immediately follow in Fairview Cemetery.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka KS 66675.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo and Grieco Funeral Home Inc., 610-444-4116, of Kennett Square. To share a memory with his family, please visit griecocares.com.