Samuel Schuman

1942 - 2014

Samuel Schuman

Asheville - Samuel Schuman, died Tuesday afternoon, November 11, 2014, peacefully and at home as he had wished, after an 18 month ordeal with lung cancer. He was 72.

Sam was born September 26, 1942 in Chicago, to Marie Friedlander Schuman and Stanton Schuman, who predeceased him. He grew up in Glencoe, Illinois and attended New Trier High School His early memories were happy ones: of his dad returning in 1945 from the war in Europe, of family camping trips, of competitive speed skating, of middle school football success (thanks to an early growth spurt), of Boy Scouts (he was an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow). During high school, he became very active in Jewish youth group organizations, and at one time, thought his vocation might be the rabbinate. He learned to play folk guitar then, too, and that became an essential part of his life in college as well. He was graduated from Grinnell College with a B.A. in English Literature in 1964. At Grinnell, he met Nancy, the love of his life, whom he married in 1962. Grinnell friendships and influences have remained important to Sam throughout the years.

Sam continued his studies at San Francisco State University, earning his M.A. In English Literature in 1966, and assuming his first teaching position, in Humanities, at St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA. Son Daniel Benton Schuman was born to elated parents Sam and Nancy during these San Francisco years; with Sam's PhD in English Literature (Northwestern University, 1969) came the equally wonderful event of daughter Leah Juliet Schuman's birth. Sam's academic focus had become Jacobean drama, and he was fortunate to have the opportunity to study with Shakespearean scholar Samuel Schoenbaum, serving as his research and editorial assistant for the publication Renaissance Drama. Sam's dissertation was "The Theater of Fine Devices: Emblems and the Emblematic in the Plays of John Webster."

The family moved to Mt. Vernon, Iowa when Sam accepted his first full time tenure track teaching position in the English Department of Cornell College. Sam was always a teacher at heart, and loved having the opportunity at Cornell to teach talented students, not only in his own academic specialty, but also doing such diverse things as co-teaching modern fiction classes with his friend poet R. P Dana, teaching a "winter term" workshop in canoe building, and supplementing the family's income with a summer "Learn to Swim" program for children at the college pool; he also directed two Shakespeare plays. During his time at Cornell College, as a result of a Ford Foundation grant, Sam and family went to England for the first time, and it was there, while staying at a colleague's Yorkshire home, on a rainy day, that he discovered the writings of Vladimir Nabokov, which were to become his second scholarly specialty.

Sam became involved in the Honors Program at Cornell, and found this satisfying work, so in 1977, he made a career choice to move into the position of Director of the Honors Program (now the Honors College) at the University of Maine - Orono. From this first administrative position, Sam learned a great deal, but he also enjoyed teaching Honors courses. While in Maine, the family had many outdoor activities - mostly hiking - but Sam also became a serious runner, and in 1978, ran a 2:59 marathon, which qualified him to run the Boston marathon the next year.

In 1981, the family moved to Greensboro, NC, when Sam became the Academic Dean, then Vice President for Academic Affairs at Guilford College. Sam continued to teach occasional courses at Guilford, including once, a course in personal physical fitness. From Guilford, Sam moved to become Chancellor at University of North Carolina Asheville in 1991, and though he remained in that position only two years, he became committed to the furtherance of public liberal arts colleges as an important genre of American higher education. Sam also taught at UNC Asheville, but then in 1995, moved to University of Minnesota - Morris, in Minnesota, another public liberal arts institution, as Dean and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. He later became acting Chancellor at UMM (in 1998), then Chancellor from 2000 - 2006. Sam was proud of his role in helping UMM complete successfully its first ever capital campaign, of recruiting and retaining some fine faculty, of mentoring some promising administrators, and of strengthening international education at the school. He retired (the first time) from UMM in 2006, accepting a one year appointment as the Caruthers Chair Visiting Distinguished Professorship in the Honors College of University of New Mexico before coming back to Asheville. Sam then assumed several different part-time roles at UNC Asheville, including teaching. He also returned to University of New Mexico for an additional semester in 2012.

Over the years, Sam was involved in a number of professional/academic organizations: The Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, the Nabokov Society (of which he served as president), the National Collegiate Honors Council (of which he also served as president). His civic involvements included serving as president of the Mt Vernon, Iowa PTA, serving as Assistant Scoutmaster in Orono, Maine, board membership of Minnesota Public Radio, board membership of Prairie Pioneer Public TV, board membership of WCQS in Asheville, board membership of Asheville United Way, and board membership of the Asheville Arts Council.

Sam was a dedicated physical fitness participant, and running, cycling, swimming and hiking were all pursuits to which he was dedicated. In addition to the 20+ marathons and numerous triathlons in which he participated, The Assault on Mt. Mitchell, The Tongariro Alpine Trek (New Zealand), the Going to the Sun Road bike ride (Glacier National Park),and the bike ride from Argentina to Chile through the Andes are examples of the challenges he enjoyed. A special pleasure was participating in competitive running or cycling events with each his children, and hiking with his wife. Sam was pleased to be honored with the naming of the UNC Asheville physical fitness facility, which was celebrated in 2013.

Sam was a prolific writer, and a fine public speaker (despite his rather shy personality). He has published over 300 scholarly articles, and 7 books. He even once wrote a regular column for Runner's World magazine entitled "Running Around", describing suggested running routes in cities to which he had traveled.

Sam (and Nancy) were fortunate to travel to many destinations around the world, and loved the varied experiences they had. But Sam also loved his home in Chunns Cove in Asheville, his garden, his dogs (now Maggie, previously beloved Tigra), and his bike rides on the Blue Ridge Parkway which were a few of his favorite things. This true Renaissance man was now no longer restless to move on, he was happy to be settled here in Asheville in his retirement.

Sam is survived by his wife of 52 years Nancy, his children Dan (Angela) Schuman, and Leah Schuman (Scott Cook), and his three treasured grandchildren, Hannah, Rachel, and Abigail, his brothers David (Sharon) Schuman, Joseph Schuman, and his sister Sarah (Stanley) Dietzel.

Friends may call 6 and 8 p.m., Friday, November 14 at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue. A private family only memorial service will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either 1) the Sam and Nancy Schuman Scholarship, Office of External Relations, UM Morris, 600 E. Fourth ST., Morris, MN 56267 or 2) Founders Scholarship, UNC Asheville Foundation, CPO 3800, One University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804, or 3) any educational, arts, conservation, or hospice organization of the donor's choice.

Sam and his family wish to thank all his treatment and care providers for their wisdom and compassion - at Western North Carolina Cancer Care and affiliated services, and at Care Partners Hospice Services during his illness.

Morris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent through the website www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com.