Samuel H. Lamb

Las Cruces - Samuel H. Lamb died December 27, 2005 after a short illness, at University Terrace Good Samaritan Health Care Center. Born June 25, 1909 in Billings, Oklahoma to Perry Cowley and Emma Bassett Lamb. He grew up on a farm in Colorado. He left the farm to attend the university and received his B.S. degree in Forestry from Colorado State and a M.S. degree in Forestry from the University of Michigan. Sam served as a ranger, guide and naturalist for the Hawaii National Park Service 1934 to 1939. During this time he assisted in the development of the Kipuka Puaulu (Bird Park) in Hawaii. Sam transferred from Hawaii, still with the National Park Service, to work several years in the Southeastern United States at various wildlife refuges. In 1944 he left the park service to return to the family farm in Colorado. After several years of farming, he moved his family to Santa Fe, NM and he worked for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish retiring in 1971. Over the next 30 years he spent much of his time as a wood collector, wood worker and doing carpentry work for the Methodist Churches in Santa Fe, NM; Hilo, Hi, and Tonga. He returned to Hawaii and moved to Hilo in 1982. In 1984 he married long time Hilo resident Ethel Roehrig and enjoyed a long and close relationship with her family. Through his interest in woodworking and collecting, he developed many friendships. Sam was interested in increasing the awareness of the value in developing the potential for the growth and use of Koa wood. In 1984 he donated his extensive collection of over 400 wooden plates made from wood collected from each state of the United States, to Colorado State University. Even today, the plates remain on display at the University. He served as former President and Trustee of the International Wood Collectors Society, and donated his extensive, world wide collection of woods, including 100 specimens from native and introduced trees and shrubs growing in Hawaii to the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He authored and published several books including "Woody Plants of New Mexico", "Trees of Hawaii National Park" and "Native Trees and Shrubs of the Hawaiian Islands". Sam returned to Las Cruces, NM in August 2004. Preceding him in death was Minnie Solomon - Lamb, Lillian Kangus Lamb and Ethel Roehrig - Lamb. Also grandson Eric Lamb. Surviving are his sons, George E. Lamb and wife Ann of Durham, NH; and Charles S. Lamb and wife Rita of Las Cruces, NM; numerous grand children and great grandchildren. Cremation has taken place and memorial services and inurnment will take place at a later date in Santa Fe, NM. PDF Printable Version