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Earlham College Indiana University University of Evansville Vanderbilt University

Sam Longmire Obituary

Family-Placed Obituary

LONGMIRE, Sam Did many wonderful things as a father, husband, professor, musician, writer, leader, fighter for justice, and promoter of peace - all with a heart full of compassion and humor. Sam was born in 1938 in Dayton, Ohio. He contracted polio at the age of 9. His childhood experience in an iron lung and his physical limitations helped shape his outlook on life, but never slowed him down. He graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, IN in 1961, and attended the University of Chicago Divinity School 1961-62. He earned his Ph.D. in English from Indiana University in 1968. He had two sons with Kay Loewer: Sam Fate (1964) and Warren (1967). He was a Professor of English at Vanderbilt University 1968-74. At the University of Evansville, he served sequentially as Department Chair, Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Professor from 1974 until his retirement in 1999. He married Virginia Longmire in 1999, living near Trenton, OH where they enjoyed gardening and serving as Master Gardeners. They established Garden House Press where in retirement Sam edited and published numerous publications for good writers. He authored three books and numerous articles, and was an accomplished orator and musician. Throughout his life, Sam worked continually for peace and justice - from teaching disadvantaged children through the Head Start program in Trenton, to founding the journal Out of Line: Imaginative Writings on Peace and Justice, to his involvement with the West Elkton Friends Meeting. He is survived by his wife Virginia Longmire; his son Sam Fate Longmire and wife Jennie and grandsons Ben and Sam; his son Warren Longmire and partner Robert Rodriquez; his step son Greg Knotts; his step daughter Amy English and husband John; his step grandsons Greg and Randy Ring; his brother Howard Longmire and wife Virginia; and his sister Nancy Seibert. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14 at West Elkton Friends, 147 Main Street, West Elkton, Ohio. The Sam Longmire Peace Fund has been established in his memory, dedicated to activities and projects promoting peace and justice. Contributions may be sent to: Sam Longmire Peace Fund, West Elkton Friends Meeting, 147 Main Street, West Elkton, OH 45070. Arrangements are by the Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family via our website at [email protected].

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Published by Journal-News on Apr. 12, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Sam Longmire

Sponsored by Former UE Student.

20 Entries

Angela Roth

August 18, 2024

I am so sorry this is so long after. Dr. Lingmire was continually my favorite professor. His kindness and patience showed in everything he did. He spent much time in the wooden Indian teaching me semi-colons.

It is with great reverence that I leave this tribute Dr. Longmire.
"I came; I saw; I went.
Angela Wedding-Roth

Rex Levering

March 9, 2023

Sam and I were high school classmates at Wilbur Wright in Dayton from 1954-57. He was a very positive influence in my life when I was a delinquency risk. I can still picture Sam carrying his violin case in high school . Sam was a true gentle man and (accepting) good friend. Losing contact was my loss when he entered Earlham and I was accepted at the University of Cincinnati.

Barbara Jones

May 7, 2008

Dear Warren,
I want to extend my sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your father. Though I didn't have the opportunity to know him, I am blessed to know you. You are a very special part of my best memories of teaching at Harrison. To have a son like you means that he was surely an extraordinary man. Gordon and I send you our sympathy and love. We would very much appreciate hearing from you.

Azian Wahab

April 27, 2008

Dear Virginia, Sam and Warren,

I am so sorry for your loss. I just got the news from Judy Seeley today (28th Apr). I remember Sam fondly...he was such a gentle person who took care of me when I was new to Evansville and to the States some 25 years ago! He will always be in my memory.

Andrew Reinhard

April 21, 2008

I learned today of Dr. Longmire's passing, and am deeply saddened by this loss. He was the most optimistic of any of my professors at Evansville, and his generosity towards his students shall always be remembered. His kindness and thoughtfulness were boundless, and his laughter was contagious.

Jane Cates

April 21, 2008

Dear Ginny, Sam Fate, and Warren,

I am so very sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man. Sam was like a ray of sunshine in many lives. One semester he taught a class just around the corner from my office in the Health Science Bldg at UE. I looked forward to hearing his enthusiasm spill over into the hallway three times a week. He likewise managed to catch his students up in the excitement of the assignment -- no easy task.

Warren, you have a special place in the hearts of all my family members. Please remember us always.

Lori Cates Hand

April 20, 2008

Dear Ginny, Sam, and Warren,
It was with deep sadness that I learned of Sam's passing. I was away in London when it happened or I would have been there for the memorial service. I don't know whether I can face a world without Sam Longmire in it, but I know he would want me to try. This special man has touched so many people and changed them for the better. He will live forever in all of us. My thoughts and love are with you all.

Dolores Harper

April 16, 2008

Dear Virginia
I'm so glad to have had the pleasure of knowing you and Sam through our Master Gardener classes and the work we did at Garden Manor . I will miss Sam's smile and his kind and gentle manner. My heart goes out to you in this sad time.

Laura Lukens-Parker

April 16, 2008

I have many fond memories of Dr.Longmire, I am deeply sadden by his passing. The Longmire family is an important part of my past. Oddly enough we looked at the Kelsey house when serching for a home. It still had the wonderful feeling that I remembered. He leaves an incredible legacy within his two brilliant sons. My deepest sympathies, Laura Lukens-Parker

Pam Linge

April 16, 2008

As a high school friend of Warren's, I remember his dad with fondness as a kind and interesting man. And unbelievably, one day about 15 years ago, I ran into him and Warren's mom on Michigan Ave. in Chicago where we were all going to see the same movie! It was a wonderful small-world moment. I was sorry to hear about his passing and I send my condolences.

Lou Mahon

April 15, 2008

Virginia, Sam Fate and Warren,
I was saddened to learn from Glenda Guess about Sam's death. He was kind, generous, intelligent, talented and so strong in character. I will remember him with much love and I send my deepest sympathy to all of you.

Matt Lantz

April 15, 2008

Although I knew Warren from high school, I only met his father, Sam, the summer after I graduated. I was heading from Evansville public school to private east coast college. Fearing my writing skills were not up to snuff, I took Sam's introductory writing class at UE for the summer. He was a tour d'force and inspired an entire class to write. He met with each student on each essay. Sam had a passion for teaching that was contagious. I held all my subsequent professors to Sam's standard. I wish you all well and want to let you know how much your father meant to people, even years later.

Becky Mynhier

April 14, 2008

I am so sorry to hear about Sam. Rebekah, Sarah and I would be outside and look forward to talking to Sam on his way home from taking his walk. He was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your neighbor from Ashley Court.

David Sisson

April 13, 2008

I remember Sam as a friend at Earlham and how much I liked and respected him. Although we lost contact after college I never forgot him and his very special and endearing personality and strength of character. Sam was indeed an extraordinary and good man.

tom and kim whiteaker

April 13, 2008

virginia, we are so sorry for your lose. sam was a very special man and you both have always remained in our thoughts. we miss you!

Glenda Guess

April 13, 2008

Virginia, Sam Fate and Warren,

Sam was my friend and a friend of many who knew him. He was a member of our Zion UCC Church in Henderson, KY during the years he was a professor of English at U of E. Jim and I were honored to be the witnesses to his marriage to Virginia. He was so happy. He had such a passion for living and thought the best of everything. He loved his family and loved life. Jim and I are so sad to learn of his passing. We loved him.

Barbara Stigler

April 13, 2008

Dear Virginia, I will always remember what a great feeling I had being a member of our Master Gardening class of 2001 with you & Sam. Thank you for that lasting memory. Barb Stigler

Amy Natzke

April 13, 2008

I remember Sam with much fondness and gratitude. I admired him very much as a child growing up in Evansville. He was a very colorful man-- one who gave me much to think on.

True condolences to all his family and loved ones.

Amy (Kimberling) Natzke

Chris Dyson

April 12, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with Sam, Warren and their families.

Paul McFarland

April 12, 2008

Thank you to you and Virginia for sharing your table with me at our Master Gardner class. Though our friendship was not a long one, I valued it greatly.

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