Samuel Joseph "Joey" Sample

Samuel Joseph "Joey" Sample, 47, of Washington, died on January 30, 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland after a long battle with Stiff Person Syndrome and Heriditary Spastic Paraplegia.

He was born in Jeffersonville, IN on May 20, 1978 to Sam and Vickie (Kron) Sample. Joey attended Franklin College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism, and Indiana University, where he obtained a master's in public affairs.

Early in his career in non-profit management, Joey sought out organizations addressing issues close to his heart. These included the Damien Center, the largest care center for people living with HIV/AIDS in Indianapolis, the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York, and Planned Parenthood. He later managed fundraising operations at several universities in Boston and Indianapolis and then served more than a decade as the first Director of Prospect Management at the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and research complex.

In his spare time, Joey authored two novels, including the soon-to-be-published "President of Nothing." He was also a connoisseur of craft beer, a die-hard New England Patriots fan, and lover of dogs, especially his dearly departed Tico and Maggie. Joey prided himself matching his glasses and socks to his outfits (often a witty t-shirt) and his dead-pan humor.

Joey was preceded in death by his sister Kristi, and is survived by his husband Andrew, his parents, his nephew CJ, and many adoring friends.

A memorial service for Joey will be held on Saturday, February 21 at 10:00 AM at the National Union Building in Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation (stiffperson.org) would be greatly appreciated.