DR. RICHARD J. SAMPSON

SAMPSON, Dr. Richard J. Of Newton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his home, on February 6, 2025, at age 87. Born with his twin brother, Patrick, in Los Angeles in 1937, to Fredrick and Margaret Sampson (Vaughn). Richard was raised in California and attended Loyola High School. He left for college receiving a BA in English from Notre Dame and a medical degree from Harvard University. He worked as a pathologist at Newton Wellesley Hospital for 40 years. He married Irene Bogdanovs with whom he had five children and later in life, married Valda Zalkalns. Richard loved to travel. He lived in Japan for three years researching the impacts of the atomic bomb on the local population. He also spent several months in Peru volunteering as a doctor in a remote village. He walked many different routes of the Camino de Santiago (Spain, Portugal and France) and the Wainwright Coast to Coast walk in England. Richard was a lifelong learner, returning to college (both Boston University and Brandeis University) after his retirement. He studied history, poetry, Spanish, and political events, typically taking three college courses per semester until the end of his life. Richard was preceded in death by his two wives, Irene Sampson and Valda Zalkalns; as well as his child, Richard Sampson; and his twin brother, Patrick Sampson. Richard leaves behind four children and their significant others, as well as his two grandchildren. A Celebration of Life for friends and family will take place at the Latvian Lutheran Church, 58 Irving St., Brookline, MA 02445, on September 6, 2025, from 2-4pm. Please dress comfortably for this remembrance. To read an autobiography of Dr. Richard Sampson, please visit BurkeFamilyFuneralHomes.com Burke & Blackington West Newton

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