Robert Eugene Sampson Sr

Robert Eugene Sampson, Sr. was born November 9, 1939, in Miami, Florida to Rosa Owens and Oliver Sampson. He was the youngest and last surviving of 8 children. Robert grew up in the C.M.E Trinity Church of Miami and continued practicing his faith at Trinity A.M.E Church when he moved to Utah. In Florida, family and friends referred to him as Bobby.

In 1957 Robert graduated from Booker T. Washington Sr. High school. He attended Knoxville College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. He was a member of the Omega PSI PHI fraternity. After graduating from college, he worked as a porter on a train that brought him to Utah. He worked at Hercules chemical plant, then Mountain Bell as the manager of an engineering team.

Robert met his first wife Adriana in Salt Lake City. Together they had two beautiful children, Linda Rose Sampson and Robert E. Sampson, Jr. (Bobby) and they later divorced. He married his second wife, Lucinda Calhoun Sampson on 12/27/1978, they were married almost 45 years, and together adopted a sweet daughter named Toi Sampson. Robert has 3 grandchildren, Candace Marie Sampson, Olivia Rose Sampson, and John Calvin Klink; and has 2 great-grandchildren Eric Robert Sampson and Jackson Robert Sampson.

In Utah he was known as Sam, he was a part of many organizations including the Four Fives Club, Elks, was the President of the Lay Organization and a trustee at Trinity A.M.E Church, and is a lifetime member of the NAACP.

In 2012, Robert was recognized by the NAACP for his courageous participation in the 1960s Civil and Human Rights Movement that used non-violent methods to end race-based discrimination in politics, education, employment, religion, housing, and public accommodations in the state of Utah and elsewhere in the United States. He invested in projects, such as the Nettie Gregory Foundation, which was a site for Salt Lake African American community groups to congregate.

Throughout his life, Robert valued ensuring that African Americans received resources that provided people with opportunities to be successful, including education, interview skills, and a supportive network through donating, fundraising, and community action. Outside of organizing, Robert enjoyed reading, taking walks in the park, and spending time with his family. He returned to Florida as often as possible to spend time with his nieces, nephews, and cousins.

On Christmas, December 25th, 2023, Robert Sampson entered into eternal rest. We will greatly miss his smiling face, his laugh, and words of encouragement.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Rosa Sampson, his brothers Felton Sampson, Alexander Sampson (Margaret) and Lucious Sampson; and his sisters Doris Sampson Bain (Leroy), Georgia Sampson Bethel (Willard), Nancy Sampson.

Robert is survived by his loving wife Lucinda Sampson, his children: Linda Sampson, Bobby Sampson (Nancy Gregovich), Toi Sampson (CJ Klink), his grandchildren: Candace Sampson (Mike Varanakis), Olivia Sampson, Calvin Klink, and great-grandchildren: Eric Sampson and Jackson Sampson, along with many other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The Sampson family would like to express their many thanks to Larkin Mortuary, Trinity AME Church, Versell Johnson, and to the people that have sent cards, prayers and condolences.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, January 4, 2023 at Trinity AME Church, 239 E. 600 S. Salt Lake City, Utah. A public viewing will be held at the same location at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP.