Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Samuel P. Oliner: 1930-2021
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Tue, Nov 23, 2021 at 6:30 AM
After the war, Sam immigrated to England where he began his formal education at Bunce Court School in Kent in 1946. In 1950, he made his way to New York City with the help of relatives. Shortly after his arrival in America, Sam was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War (Bronze Service Star, National Defense Medal, Presidential Unit Citation). While attending Brooklyn College on the G.I. Bill upon his return from Korea, Sam met Pearl Merkur on a blind date arranged by his best pal Fred Knauer. Sam and Pearl were married in 1956 and for 65 years before she passed earlier this year.
In 1957, Pearl and Sam packed their U-Haul truck and headed for California. They each received a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley, and together they became professors at Humboldt State University. Sam was chair of the Sociology Department, and by all accounts much beloved by students, staff, and colleagues during his 30 years as a professor. In 1973, he founded the Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, which remains in publication to this day. Sam and Pearl founded the Altruistic Personality and Prosocial Behavior Institute at HSU. Together, they were awarded HSU’s Scholar of the Year prize in 1990. Sam has authored nine books and numerous other publications focusing on the subject of altruism and why some people risk their lives to help others. He published his most recent literary work this year, at age 91. A central theme that runs throughout his scholarship is the importance of kindness and courageousness, even in the darkest times. He was, at his core, an optimist. Sam was humble, caring, generous and always inquisitive.
Sam is survived by his three sons and their families: Ron and Kristen, and their sons Evan and Daniel; David and Liz, their daughter Lauren and sons William and Harrison; and Ian and Valerie, and their sons Adam and Jason. He is survived also by his cousin Martin, whose parents were instrumental in making Sam’s arrival in the United States possible. Most recently, he had the unrelenting support of his sons following the heartbreaking loss of his beloved wife Pearl only nine months ago. He leaves behind close friends and colleagues too numerous to mention, among them Arthur Rose, his childhood friend from Bunce Court.
He will be in our hearts for eternity. May his memory be a blessing.
There will be a small private ceremony. The family intends to hold a celebration of life in early 2022.
Comments (3)
Showing 1-3 of 3
The North Coast Journal publishes free online obituaries, allowing people to share news of a loved one's passing with the community and celebrate their life. Submit your obituary with or without photos to obituaries@northcoastjournal.com at least three days before you would like to see them posted. Please include your name and contact information. Submissions may be edited for spelling and grammar. (For some tips on how to write a compelling remembrance, click here.)
The Journal also offers paid obituaries in our weekly newspaper as an option for those who would like to see them print. For more information on print obituaries, contact Mark Boyd at mark@northcoastjournal.com or (707) 442-1400, extension 314.
more from the author
-
Duane 'Tiny' Kempf: 1961-2023
- Aug 19, 2023
-
Aaron Michael McKay: 1981-2023
- Aug 10, 2023
-
Gina Francine Bryant Parrish: 1956-2023
- Aug 4, 2023
- More »
