Frederick Ferris Samaha

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University of Pennsylvania

Frederick Samaha Obituary

SAMAHA
FREDERICK FERRIS, MD, 47, of Villanova, PA, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Chief of Cardiology at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, passed away on August 26, 2008 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Dr. Carol Chou; children Sophia and Alexander; sister Dr. Michelle Kennedy, brother James Samaha; and parents Dr. Frederick and Claire Samaha.A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. at the Haverford Friends Meeting, 851 Buck Lane, Haverford, PA. A luncheon at the Springfield Country Club will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to one of the following: Friends School Haverford, The Radnor Monthly Meeting, or the Brain Tumor Society's Race for Hope under Team Rick Samaha. CHADWICK AND McKINNEY FUNERAL HOME OF ARDMORE
www.chadwickmckinney.com

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Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on Aug. 31, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Frederick Samaha

8 Entries

Christi Schwieter

October 24, 2008

Claire, I am still weeping for my dear friend. How blessed I have been to share his smile. I will forever have Rick and your family in my heart. Love, Christi

Barbara Bishop

September 17, 2008

Dr. Chou - I just found out today about the death of your husband. When I last saw you we were both dealing with serious illnesses in our family. You with your husband and I with my father. They are both now gone and we are left only with our memories. My sympathies, prayers and thoughts are with you as you, your children and the extended family grieve during the coming weeks, months and years. May you find peace as those memories carry you through.

Melissa Ciamaichela

September 4, 2008

I had the privilege to work with Dr. Samaha about nine years ago at the VA Hospital in Philadelphia. I was on my first clinical rotation for echocardiography. Dr. Samaha always made time for me no matter how busy his day seemed to be. He showed nothing but positivity and encouragement even if I had a less than adequate study. He had a way to make you believe in yourself and your work. Dr. Samaha was one of the biggest influences on my career. I will always be grateful for my opportunity to work with Dr. Samaha and to know what a wonderful person he was. I send my prayers to his family. He will truly be missed.

Hon Ip

September 2, 2008

I first met Rick when he appeared in the lab when we were both at the University of Chicago. Rick was a Cardiology Fellow and I was doing a post-doctoral fellowship in the Cardiology Division. He came in, not knowing a thing about molecular biology, but Rick knew he wanted to apply the power of genetic engineering to the study of the heart. Rick was humble, patient, a keen learner, and was never discouraged, even when after a long day on the ward he would find time to do an experiment that may or may not work out as he would like. Rick could never pull himself away from his clinical duties and frequently I would find him answering pages or filing dictations while his DNA was precipitating or his gel was running. Rick quickly grew adept in his new field and made seminal discoveries in the role of transcription factors on the regulation of cardiac and smooth muscle cells. Rick was one of the few doctors who practiced what he preached, as I found out one evening while he was still dating Carol, that the dinner Rick and Carol prepared for my wife and me fully complied with the American College of Cardiology dietary guidelines. It wasn’t long after that dinner that he and Carol married. I had chipped into help him move into the new apartment only to come face to face with “Igor”- Rick’s eight foot tall, multi-limbed giant cactus. Let’s just say that Igor welcomed my attempt to move him to the new apartment with open arms. I still have some of Rick’s bachelor furniture as payment for that effort. It was my privilege in knowing Rick. He was kind and gentle and caring. Rick exemplified the best of the medical profession and, I am not exaggerating, of the human race. Goodbye Rick, it has been an honor knowing you.

Jean Hayes

September 2, 2008

Dear Carol, Sophia and Alex, I am so sorry to hear about the death of Rick. Whenever you were at Radnor Meeting, I always thought you were such a loving family. Regards, Jean Hayes

September 2, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. You and your children are frequently in our thoughts. You will always be part of our Goddard family.

Fran

Susan Ferris

September 1, 2008

Aunt Claire and Uncle Fred,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.

Love,
David, Susan and Shawn Ferris

Kathleen Magness

September 1, 2008

Carol, I was thinking and talking to some one about Rick the day he died. I still cannot quite believe it. I was unable to make the memorial but so wanted to be there and to offer you and you children what ever help I can. All of us at Phoenixville are saddened by the loss of our friend and also of some one who was such a force of life. Let me know if there is anything I can do the help you.

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