Airplanes have been a part of Sam’s life since he was age seven or eight. He was raised on a cattle ranch in the southeastern corner of Blaine County, just north of the Custer County settlement of Milburn. The ranch, still in the family, is about 100 miles west of Albion.
The family acquired a Piper Cub airplane when Sam was seven years old, and it was flown by his older brothers with Sam and his little black dog often riding along in the passenger seat. The airplane saved time in chacking cattle and water conditions on the ranch.
After attending college and moving to Albion to practice dentistry, Sam earned his pilot’s license in 1973 after taking lessons from Gayle Anderson, local spray pilot and qualified instructor. He joined the Airport Authority Board a few years later and served with many longtime members.
Complete story in the July 20 Albion News/Boone Co. Tribune, print and e-editions.
