Samuel B. Gingerich, 74, of Lowville died suddenly on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at University Hospital SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse, surrounded by his loving family.

Sam was born in Lowville on June 28, 1950 the son of the late Beryl J. and Marion (Jantzi) Gingerich. He graduated from Lowville Academy and went on to pursue his Bachelor's in Chemistry from Goshen College and continued with a Master's in Chemistry at Cornell University. He went on to Montana State University to study Organic Chemistry and received his PhD. Samuel did his postdoctoral research at the University of Nevada, Reno.

While in Reno he met and married Erin J. Holmes on November 17, 1984 with Justice of the Peace Leo T. Hettich presiding. The ceremony was an unusual one for Reno because both family and friends gathered to celebrate it. The Justice of the Peace commented on this and Sam said that it was because he and Erin were moving to South Dakota for him to teach at a Northern State University. Mr. Hettich commented that he had graduated from Northern when it was Northern Normal and Industrial School.

After moving to South Dakota, where he went to work as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and then transitioned into college administration. In 1998, he accepted a position at Colorado Mesa University, first as Vice President for Academic Affairs, and then as Interim President. Following this, he moved to Columbus, MS to serve as Provost for Mississippi University for Women.

Sam returned to South Dakota to serve as Chief Academic Officer for the South Dakota Board of Regents and retired in 2015. He left retirement while in Alaska to become the Provost and eventually the Interim Chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Surviving Sam are his wife, Erin; their two children, Daniel B. (Alex Moog) Gingerich and Matthew JP Gingerich; his mother, Eunice Gingerich; his siblings Jane (Paul) Lehman, Florine Gingerich, Barbara Baker, and Janelle (Stephen) Corn; and several nieces and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his Holmes family.

He is predeceased by Matthew's fiancée, Melinda M. Darling, his brother-in-law, Joe Baker, his best fur friends, Buford the Cat and Brynn, and his inspiring brother-in-the-kitchen, Mike Huttleston, who is finally teaching him how to make the world's best liver and onions.

Sam was a member of the Lowville Mennonite Church. He loved the National Parks, especially Yellowstone and Zion, hiking, traveling, and was an excellent cook. He had a deep curiosity and was always asking "WHY?". He was proud to host family and friends and the many rescue dogs Erin adopted over the years.

Calling hours for family and friends will be on April 23, 2025 from 3 to 5:00 pm at the Lowville Mennonite Church. A funeral will follow with Adam Houser, Pastor and Rev. Keith Zehr, officiating. All are welcome following the service to a dinner in the church hall.

Sam was deeply involved in every community where he lived and the causes he cared about, including those in Lewis County, New York. To that end, memorials in Samuel's name may be made to the Adirondack Mennonite Heritage Association (AMHA) to:

AMHA

℅ Charlene Moser

7491 Kirchnerville Rd.

Croghan, NY 13327

Or online at: https://mennoniteheritagefarm.com/index.php