April 13, 2011

Robert Sams

Robert Lee “Bob” Sams, 56, died in Spokane Valley, Wash., on March 25, 2011, after a two-year battle with cancer. Bob died at the home of his daughter, Virginia, lovingly cared for by her and Debra, his nurse from Hospice of Spokane.
Bob was born on May 16, 1954, in Mott, N.D., to Vernon and Loreta Hewson Sams. His early years were spent in the Dickinson area playing and sometimes fighting with his older siblings. He enjoyed camping and fishing with family and visiting his grandparents’ farm north of Dickinson. He loved to play cards with Grandma Barbara; whist, canasta and pinochle were some of the games of choice. He and his older brother, Doug, had many “adventures” as they were growing up.
Bob also lived for a time in the Watford City, N.D., area. Later on, he lived in the Fairview and Sidney, Mont., areas. There he met and married Yolanda Sifuentes. They had three children: Bobby, Virginia and Connie.
Over the years, Bob worked for Mon-Kota and the Fairview School. He was also a member of the volunteer fire department. Bob enjoyed doing auto body repair work, liked country music, and was an avid reader of western novels.
Several years ago Bob moved to Washington to be closer to his children and grandchildren. One high point in Bob’s life was earning his GED on May 10, 1995. Another was attending his oldest granddaughter, Ariel’s, high school graduation last spring. He was very proud of her. Bob enjoyed all of his grandchildren very much. Bob is survived by his three children, Bobby, Virginia and Connie, and his grandchildren, Ariel, Allen, Austin, Teven, Kiarra, Alaysha, Alyissa and Taylor, all of Spokane Valley; his father, Vernon Sams, of Bismarck, N.D.; a brother, Douglas Sams, of Mandan, N.D.; a sister, Vernette Wilson, of Watford City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by an older sister, Marla Sams (infant); his mother, Loreta Hewson; his maternal grandparents, Barbara and Walter Hewson; his paternal grandparents, Morgan and Luella Sams; a special friend he considered a stepfather, Joe Gladdin; and a great nephew, baby Levi Wayne Wilson.
Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service and burial will take place in North Dakota when his children bring him home later this summer.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER