Nelson Robinson "Sam" Niles

For the 15 years we interacted, I always appreciated Sam's joy and warmth and intellect. He was a good man in every sense of the word, and he made our world a little brighter and joyous.

I'll best remember Sam as someone with an unbridled passion for teaching and for his deep altruism. He showed all of us how to live a generous life.

Sam was extraordinarily supportive when I first joined OHSU as a junior faculty member in 1990. He and several other senior faculty members helped me initiate a new course in medical embryology that was very well received by the students, but only because of their insight and advice! Sam also had a great sense of humor and a witty perspective on administrative shenanigans that I (and other junior faculty) really enjoyed! I still have one of the 'joke anatomy' slides that he gave me, though...

Sam was one of a kind person. A bright, opinionated clear thinking, physician... who dearly loved his profession and contributed mightly to it . Still see him walking the halls in his white coat, long, long after he retired. Best to Sally, siblings and all. Don GirardGirard/Chris