Ralph Sampson

RALPH L. SAMPSON Born February 13, 1916 in Chicago, he passed away peacefully after a three week illness on April 22, 2006 at his home in Woodland Hills. Ralph was raised by cousins after his mother died in childbirth. He had a difficult and impoverished childhood, but managed to graduate high school in Chicago during the depression. He then obtained work as an elevator operator, and worked steadily thereafter as a traveling salesman and business owner. He mar ried Rose Maslov and fathered three children: Jacqueline, Ronald and Barry. During WWII he served in the United States Army where he was trained as a combat infantryman but then assigned as a clerk typist. In 1952, Ralph relocated the family to the San Fernando Valley where he engaged in various business ventures. In 1968, he and a partner, since deceased, founded Wilshire Wigs, a highly successful wholesale hairpiece business presently located in North Hollywood. Ralph was still working there six days per week, at age 90, when he was suddenly struck down by undetected lung cancer. Ralph was known for his perennial modesty, optimism, sense of humor, and generosity to all and sundry, and his philanthropic work and donations, especially to the City of Hope. Though personally not notably religious, he was a staunch supporter of and contributor to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Ralph is deeply mourned by his family and friends. He will always be remembered for his love and devotion to Rose a nd the children and grandchildren, and for the wonderful example he set by his open minded, upright character and care and concern for others of whatever background. He never forgot his own difficult youth and readily reached out to assist people whom he knew even slightly that were in need of help. Ralph is survived by his wife, Rose; two of his children, Jacqueline and Barry; and four grandchildren, Sarah and Amy Sampson, and Michael and Jonathan Behling. A Memorial Service was held at Groman-Ed en Mortuary on April 25, attended by immediate family, friends, employees and relatives from out of state. Burial followed in the adjoining cemetery in the family plot, next to his beloved son, Ronald.