Frederick Samson

Fred Samson, 85, Lake Quivira, KS died April 15, 2004 at his home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Heartland Hospice, 4225 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111 or to the Fred Samson Lectureship in care of the Kansas University Endowment Association, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kasnas City, KS 66160. His wish was to be cremated and there will be no service.
Fred was born in Medford, Massachusetts, August 16, 1918, to Frederick Eugene Samson, Sr., and Annie Belle Pratt Samson. He was preceded in death by both parents and three sisters. He is survived by his wife Camila; one sister, Bernice Rice; three daughters, Cecile Dolkerts, Julie Thompson and Renee Overton; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
In 1940 he earned a D.O. degree from the Massachusetts College of Osteopathy and then served as a staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1941-1945 in the South Pacific Islands, including Guadalcanal. In 1952 he earned a Ph.D. degree from the University of Chicago. Dr. Samson served as Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, 1952-57; Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, 1957-1962; Chairman & Professor of Biochemistry & Physiology, 1962-69 and Chairman & Professor of Physiology & Cell Biology, 1968-1973 at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. From 1973-1989 he served as Director of the Ralph L. Smith Center for Mental Retardation and Human Development at the University of Kansas Medical Center and obtained Professor Emeritus status in 1989. He was an internationally recognized neuroscientist, served on numerous scientific boards and committees, and was a mentor to many young scientists.