Rich and Barb S. August 2013

Rich and Barb Sample

Dr Sample is a long time Madison resident who as a physician has cared for many people in our community over the years.  He has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment. His wife Barb has also been diagnosed with cancer.  We prayed for healing, for pain control, for comfort for them both.  We prayed for caregivers and family members and the medical team treating them.  We pray that they can trust in the Lord with all their hearts....

Dr. Richard G. Sample, age 64, of Madison, died Thursday, August 29, 2013, at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls.

Richard Gordon Sample was born July 15, 1949, at Yankton, to Glenn and Mae (Nelson) Sample.  He was raised at Wakonda and graduated from Lincoln High School, Sioux Falls, in 1967.  Rich married Barb Beecher on Aug. 29, 1970, at Sioux Falls and earned his pharmacy degree from SDSU, Brookings, in 1972.  Following his pharmacy training, he served in the US Army and then attended USD Medical School with residency training at Sioux Falls Family Medicine Residency before beginning his practice in Madison. 

Rich was president of Interlakes Medical Center and past president of the medical staff of the Madison Community Hospital.  He was certified in family medicine, geriatrics and was a registered pharmacist.  Rich was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.  He was medical director of three nursing homes -- Golden Living Center and Bethel Lutheran Home in Madison and Good Samaritan in Howard.  Rich educated medical students and residents, and mentored EMTs, physician assistants, and nurse practitioner students.   

Rich served on the ECCO board of directors and as Madison Health Officer, Lake and Miner County Health Officer, Head Start Medical Advisor, and United Way board of directors.   He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and New Beginnings music team.  Rich was an avid runner and bicyclist, running 30,000 miles since moving to Madison. 

Dr. Sample was known to his colleagues, residents, nurses, and patients as a compassionate, caring physician and was named SDAFP Family Doctor of the Year on Feb. 8, 2013.

Survivors include his wife Barb of Madison, three children, Deb (Chris) Peters of Hartford, David (Marie) Sample of Marshall, MN and Paul (Katie) Sample of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren, Derick, Braden, Nichole, Natalee and Allyson; one brother Dale (Jan) Sample of Sioux Falls; one brother-in-law, Doug (Mary) Beecher of Madison; two sisters-in-law, Julie (Bill) Krell of Sioux Falls and Jan (Doug) Dunn of Aurora, CO; and ten nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation begins noon Sunday with the family present 4-7 PM at Ellsworth Funeral Home and continues one hour prior to the service.  Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Monday at Dakota Prairie Playhouse, Madison.  Family inurnment will take place at a later date at Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls.