I want to send my deepest condolences to the Engel family, and my regrets that I could not be there this weekend to mourn together. All my memories with Sam are filled with so much pure joy.

Thank you, Marty, for helping make those early memories: taking us and our boogie boards on those long sunny beach day trips. I became close to Sam those years we played lacrosse together. It never mattered how exhausting sprints had been at the end of practice, Sam would always find something to share his contagious laugh about, or have some story to tell that would have the whole team listening in. Sam brought so much positivity and creativity with him everywhere. 

Honey and I were glamping in Yosemite with the Engels when Sam was still an infant. We all were on the deck chatting just before suppertime while Honey was grilling mouthwatering BBQ chicken. The aroma and BBQ smoke made us salivate. We could barely contain ourselves waiting for what was surely going to be the best dinner in all of the park that afternoon

A young brown bear cub smelled what we all smelled as well. But you probably know that where the cub ventures the momma is not far behind.

The cub wanted to check out the deck top cooking too. Cautiously, step by step up he came to the deck.

Its appearance scared the heck out of us. Four Wilsons and the Engels ran back into the cabin, purposely ignoring the chicken. All were willing to forgo the feast to ensure personal safety. Wilsons? Check, four. Engels ? Thr…

All was not well that afternoon.

Wait. Where was Sammy?

Out on the deck with the cub!! Soundly sleeping in the car seat after crying himself to sleep in what seemed like an eternity of tears. Few other infants could compete with his infantile irritability which was award winning but, thankfully, only transitory.

In the heat of the moment Marti and Dave forgot their little one. How he escaped the ursine threat is not important. What does matter, is he did. Once he was safe inside with the rest of us, we all enjoyed a good laugh together.

You know the rest of the story…

And Sam grew up to be a beautiful young man loved by all who knew him.

Bob Wilson