Samuel C. Somers M.D.

1969 - 2023

Samuel C. Somers, MD

Hopkinton, NH - Sam Somers embodied many qualities throughout his lifetime: positivity, intelligence, generosity, and, most abundantly, love. He was the most devoted father of three beloved daughters, cherished husband of Diane Hotten-Somers, GI physician at Concord Hospital, a soccer coach to many young people in his community, plus so much more. Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Sam will recall his warm, embracing smile that conveyed and spread the joy that was at the center of Sam's soul, and what centered him in life.

Sam passed away suddenly of a heart attack at his home Sunday evening, February 26, 2023. He left his wife of 26 years, Diane Hotten-Somers, and his daughters Reese (19), Abigail (16), and Emma (14) - the absolute loves of his life.

Sam was born in Kansas City, MO, on June 23, 1969. Sam spent most of his childhood in Kansas, growing up with the adventures of both country and lake living, and then later moving to Edina, Minnesota, where he fostered his lifelong love of learning and playing hard. Sam graduated valedictorian from Edina High School and as a National Merit Scholar in 1988. He attended Dartmouth College, earning a B.A. in Asian Studies and graduating in 1992 summa cum laude and as a member of Phi Betta Kappa. Sam studied in Taiwan at Taipei University where he expanded his Mandarin skills. In the fall of 1994, Sam began his medical studies at Harvard Medical School, where he earned his MD in 1998. He then completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital in 2001, and rounded out his formal training with a Gastroenterology Fellowship at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and received a Master's in Medical Science-Clinical Investigation from Harvard/MIT in 2004. Sam joined Concord Gastroenterology in 2005, and focused his practice on collaborating with his partners and, for the past 2 years, Concord Hospital Medical Group to develop a community based GI group that has provided expert, compassionate care for patients across the Granite State. His patients remember him as a kind, extremely knowledgeable and skilled physician who made them feel heard and supported. Sam found deep purpose and meaning caring for the thousands upon thousands of patients during his too short career. Sam also undertook GI research, publishing in many medical journals, and most recently collaborating with Iterative Health to test AI supported scopes. And always, Sam brought his bright smile to every exam room he entered, and made the academic and medical halls he walked a happier and more healing place.

Personally, Sam was pure joy, creating circles of love in all the communities he entered. Sam's family bonds and friendships were both plentiful and lifelong because everyone was drawn to his joyfulness for life. As a big brother, Sam will forever be adored by his sister, Sage, whom he comforted when they cared for their brother Spenser, and their mother, Karen during their respective illnesses. As a son, Sam cherished his father and their annual pheasant hunting trip to SD. As a friend, Sam developed strong bonds through his infectious laughter, comforting presence, ever-present smile, and his deep intellect, which led to many a long, philosophical discussion about the meaning of life and love. In recent years, Sam, who never played soccer himself, but wanted to support his daughters' love of the sport, found joy in coaching girls soccer. His players loved and respected Coach Sam because he set the bar high and was always there to support them with his effervescent encouragement. He was, simply, sunshine incarnate, and his rays of love will shine on through all of those he touched.

Above all, Sam loved and devoted his life to Di and their three daughters. After meeting and falling for Di on a June night in San Francisco, together they wrote a love story for the ages. That story was born in the city by the Bay, blossomed while in graduate school in Boston, and found its full, profound meaning in raising their daughters in Hopkinton, NH. Together, this merry band of Hotten-Somers traveled the world, directed by Sam's never-ending curiosity for life and cultures. Sam also instilled in his girls the love of the great outdoors and most winter weekends you would find him setting down fresh tracks at Cannon with his 3 rippers. During the summer and fall, Sam, Di, and the girls hiked the Whites, surfed the waves of the NH coast, and kayaked rivers and lakes. No matter the weather, Sam walked and meditated with his beloved dog, Kona, through the wooded trails in their hometown. Above all else, he loved watching his daughters play soccer, lacrosse, ski race, row, dance, and he inspired and supported them each to discover and nurture their intellectual passions. In the end, Sam loved Di more than anything, and she felt the same love for him. Together, they provided an example of devotion and unconditional love throughout their 30 year relationship. Sam is so loved by his family and his love for them shall never fade.

Sam is survived by his wife, Diane Hotten-Somers, his daughters, Reese, Abigail, and Emma, father John Somers, sister Sage (Gustafson), nephew Spenser (15), and nieces Margaret (13), and Hope (9). Sam is preceded in death by his mother Karen and brother Spenser. Sam will, inevitably, be remembered most for his sunny smile that was him sharing his love generously with everyone he met, and he will be missed forever.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Sam's name be made to the New Hampshire Soccer Association https://soccernh.com/, DB Teens, an association that supports mental health services for young people in New Hampshire - Venmo to: https://account.venmo.com/u/dbtforyou Or mail checks to DBT For You- 6 Main Street #397 - Newfields, NH 03856, or the Spenser Somers Foundation (spensersomers.org).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023, 5-8 pm at Gould Hill Farm, 656 Gould Hill Rd., Hopkinton, NH.