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1940
2016
Samuel Kent Lumpe
Sam K. Lumpe, 76, died of heart failure just before midnight on August 24, 2016 at Park Place assisted living in Reno. He had been hospitalized recently for heart and kidney issues.
Sam was born in Wilster, Germany during World War 2. His father was killed in the war. His widowed mother brought Sam and his older brothers, Gustav and Gary, to the United States in 1951. They immigrated to Whitestown, IN, near Indianapolis. Sam contracted polio the next year and had to use an iron lung to breathe. With the help of March of Dimes he regained his health. The following year, at age 12, he raised more money for March of Dimes in his community than anyone else. That spirit of giving stayed with Sam until the end. A man of modest means, he was a significant philanthropist to dozens of charities.
Sam became a naturalized American citizen in 1959 and graduated from Zionsville High School the same year. He then entered a journeyman apprentice program for sheet metal working.
Union politics were his central driving force. He moved to Reno for the building opportunities in 1979 and became an active member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 26. Sam was very engaged in electoral politics and in the Nevada AFLCIO as a representative of his union. In 1988 he registered more voters in Nevada than anyone else in the state and received an award from the Governor. He served as Secretary of the Democratic Party of Washoe County and then on the central committee of the Nevada state Democratic Party.
Sam retired in 2002 and became an avid volunteer. He was active with the Association of Retired Americans and continued to attend union conventions and demonstrations until a year ago. In 2012 Sam was inducted into the César Chávez Nevada Labor Hall of Fame. He was also honored by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for his volunteer work.
Sam attended services at St Thomas Aquinas for 30 years. His favorite pastime was watching football on the big screens at CalNeva or Brickies Tavern.
His marriage out of high school to Nina Lovett ended in divorce but produced three children, Duane Lumpe (Indianapolis), Keith Mitchell (Indianapolis) and Lora Lumpe (Washington, DC). He is also survived by his brother, Gary Lumpe (Bedford, IN) and four grandchildren.
Sam will be privately inurned at Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Reno. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to O'Brien-Rogers & Crosby Funeral Home, Reno.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Walton's Funerals & Cremations - O’Brien-Rogers & Crosby.
6 Entries
the world is still a mess, but I remember how sam tried to make it better.
roger slugg
August 25, 2023
hard to believe it's been five years. when I volunteer with the food bank, or go to sam's favorite coffee house, I remember sam. he was a good man with a big heart.
roger slugg
Friend
August 25, 2021
When i started volunteering at the food bank in 2006 Sam had been there for several years. We had some "discussions" about who would ride in the truck, but Sam always won. Sam had a gruff exterior, but he would literally give you the shirt off his back. He was like the big brother i never had. We will all miss you Sammy.
roger slugg
September 9, 2016
Sam was part of our family at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for many years. Sam spent thousands of hours together with his friend Roger and our distribution team providing food to those who needed help. Sam's many friends at the Food Bank remember him fondly and will miss him always.
Cherie Jamason
September 1, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope Jer. 29: 11,12 brings you some comfort during this difficult time.
August 31, 2016
I bartended at Brickies Tavern for many years. I knew Sam very well. He was a humble man and always had a smile on his face. I used to work Thanksgiving every year and make a full course Thanksgiving feast for those who had no family to celebrate this day with. Sammy was my favorite of all.I always made sure there was left overs so that he could enjoy them the next few days.I will miss your face Sammy. Your friend Carlena
CARLENA THOMAS
August 31, 2016
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