Richard E. Sampson

Richard E. Sampson age 94, died peacefully on April 24, 2018 after being hospitalized for an injury. Born December 15, 1923 in Edina, Minnesota he grew up near 50th and France. Dick was entrepreneurial at an early age, working at the family root beer stand selling Christmas trees and fireworks, in addition to delivering newspapers and caddying on the golf course. Dick fought in World War II, flying 23 missions over Germany as a B17 waist gunner in the 493rd Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force stationed in England. This service to his country defined his civic interests. After the war he met and married Frances (Fran) Weckwerth of Montevideo, Minnesota. Dick supported his family working as an engineer for the Minneapolis Public School system. In retirement Dick and Fran bought a cabin on Woman Lake near Hackensack, Minnesota which became the highlight of their summers. Dick loved wildlife, being outdoors, enjoying the change in seasons, and entertaining guests. At their cabin he tamed a Great Blue Heron to approach him to eat freshly-caught fish and ride with him while boating. He also frequented Lake Minnetonka, fishing through all of the seasons. A real athlete, he enjoyed fishing and golfing into his eighties. Dick was an officer of the Woman Lake Association Board as well as a long-time active member of and volunteer for the American Legion and the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. Dick was preceded in death by his wife and all his eight siblings. He is survived by his two daughters, Vicky and Holly; son-in-law, Ronald Ercolani; granddaughters, Kathryn and Carmen; two sisters-in-law, Jeanette Johnson and Janaan Sampson; several nieces, nephews and families. Interment, Ft. Snelling at a later date.