Daily Archives: August 3, 2011

Glenn Wilcox, family friends

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When I met Sameer:    07/15/1975

Where Sameer and I spent time:

In the mid 1970’s, Sameer’s family and our family shared many happy times in Melbourne, Florida, where his father and I worked together. Picnics, pool parties, etc. brought many Harris families together and formed bonds that last to this day.

What you remember and appreciated most about Sameer

In 1980, Sameer, his parents and brother came to California, where the eight of us set out on a two family adventure in a single passenger van with no air conditioning. We toured the highlights of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California. Sameer most often rode shotgun, and was the “navigator” of the trip. He became especially enamored of the Moqui Caves, and insisted that we include them on our itinerary. Sameer also got a big kick out of my playing tricks on a drive-in restaurant, driving through over and over again.

From Glen Wilcox

Extended thoughts about Sameer. Please write as much as you like.

Sameer was a prince. He was bright and funny and got along famously with everyone on our Cowboys & Indians Tour. Fortunately I was able to see Sameer last year, 2010, after many years apart. Seeing him brought back all those wonderful memories of the times our families spent together. Both of our daughters were devastated by the news of his demise. Lisa began storming heaven with prayers, and Leslie said she had no words, only tears, for the family. We were blessed to have known Sameer and his family. We know all of his good qualities will be reflected in his children, and we want them to know he was loved by us.

Glen, Sally, Lisa, and Leslie Wilcox

Oak Park, California

Patti Bugenske Knapp, Satellite HS

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When I met Sameer

08/05/1980

What you remember and appreciated most about Sameer

One of the most kind , funniest, smartest men I have had the pleasure to know. Journalism and speech classes would not have been the same without him. My condolences to his family.

Jack Fuchs, McKinsey & Co. NYC

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Josh,

It is a tragic circumstance that leads to my hearing from you after all these years.  Sameer was awesome with my kids, both of whom have hugely fond feelings for him.  I still remember my 11-year-old talking about her “dates with Sameer” when she was 5-7.  She and he sent notes to each other, and had quite a “relationship.”

Warm regards,

Jack

Cynthia Wensinger, Satellite HS

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When I met Sameer

06/01/1979

Where Sameer and I spent time 

I am not sure if Sameer was at DeLaura or not. We had many classes together at Satellite and he was in Brain Bowl with me. To the outside world we may have looked like the geeks, but Sameer was always cool, competitive and sharply funny. A great intellect with a super sense of humor. He, Minna Rauhala, our friend Henry Willmore…we were always competing for grades. None of us thought we were different. I was very lucky to reconnect and see your Dad last year, still the same sharp , witty charming friend. I was very Lucky to have know him and God is lucky to have such a smart guy to help him.

Scott Nicholas Amendolare, Satellite HS student gov’t

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Dear Shah Children,

Although a grade behind me, his open smile, generosity of spirit and kindness left an indelible impression on those who had the privilege to know him. Because of your family heritage, he made Student Gov’t and Civic class very informative at a time when foreign relations in the US was rather heated. Yet, with tremendous understanding he explained the politics of the situation with the utmost of respect and humor. He was very brave person, who killed us with his kindness. And for the record, he was a world class debater and one heck of an extemporaneous speaker.

This is what I remember about your father.

All the best,

SNA

Josh Litwin, Boy Scouts, Jr. High, High School, NYC, Stanford

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This photo that Maria Makowski Franco provided sums it all up for me.

Her caption was also perfect (just above the photo below).  Sameer laughed pretty hard at his own stories! Which made me laugh even harder.  He had a simple, pure joy when he laughed.  Added to my love of him, since I knew how insanely smart and capable he was.

Not many people know this, but Sameer and I had competing (illicit) bubble gum businesses in Junior High.  We each bought packs of gum before school, and sold them at a mark-up during the day.  It was head-to-head, we each had a set of other students helping with distribution and security (we weren’t the strongest guys, and lots of big kids knew we had gum).  Without knowing it, we both wrote about the experience when we each applied to Stanford Business School.  And we both got in!

Sameer’s passing has hit me really hard.  I more or less followed right behind him, through Boy Scouts, Hoover, Satellite and beyond.  He had a huge effect on my direction.  He provided me an example without which I know I could not have achieved what this life has given me.

Sameer was one year older than me.  He became a patrol leader in our Boy Scout troop, so did I.  He became an Eagle Scout, so did I.  He was in Student Govt, then president of the junior high, me too.  Similar story in High School.  Student gov’t, Brain Bowl captain, me too, right after him.  He graduated college, became a management consultant, described it to me my senior year (I had no idea what it was), then that’s exactly what I did as my first job.  When I didn’t know what to do after a few years of consulting, he told me about going to Stanford Business School.  Guess what, that’s what I did too, two years after him.

He and I stayed in touch through the years.  When I was an aid worker in Indonesia 20 years ago, he flew all the way there to visit, literally half-way around the world.  He came out to San Fran for my wedding seven years ago, and had been out here several times since.  I visited his parents about 18 months ago, to introduce my children to them, and to see Surekha, and meet their beautiful children.  Mr. and Mrs. Shah are really a treasured uncle and aunt to me, they are family as far as I’m concerned.

The guy had a huge effect on my life, and his departure has left a huge hole in it.  I’m so sad for the Shah family, especially Surekha and the children.  I have seen the strength of the Shah family up close through the years, and hope their cohesiveness will give them comfort in this terrible time.  Like all of you, I will miss him so very very much.

Sameer, cracking himself up over the retelling of the Shah-Wallace proposal to Mrs. Kansas at SHS (Squid Lips, Dec 2009)  {Brother Shalin in background}

makowski_shahwallace

 

Thoughts left on Sat Scorps in Heaven group as of now

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  • Lori Ferris Hillenbrand Thanks for sharing. What a shame. The Shah family has many friends.20 hours ago · Like

  • Lisa Guill Maxson How terrible! This is just so sad. I remember Sameer Shah as the smartest and nicest guy in our class. I will be praying for his family.

  • Thanks, Jimmy McGowan, for posting this.20 hours ago · Like

  • Sandi OnthegoAds Lori you are right the Shah family has many friends, a great loss.20 hours ago · Like

  • William Guzak I am so sorry to hear this. Sameer and I just started reconnecting via facebook. I knew him since Ocean Breeze Elementary. Yes, Lisa, he was the smartest and nicest in our class!20 hours ago · Like

  • Scott Nicholas Amendolare He was a true gem. Great humor and class act.20 hours ago · Like

  • Pat Milikin I am so sorry… Great sense of humor and fablous ma. Send out love to his family…19 hours ago · Like

  • Donna Huthmacher Clark How tragic and sad! Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends! :(19 hours ago · Like

  • Stephanie Solari Spurlock I have such positive memories of Sameer. He was always so kind and supportive towards those of us not blessed with the brilliant mind he possessed.19 hours ago · Like

  • Judy Hart-Flanagan I am still stunned at this post. I will be praying for his family. I think that is what all will agree about the smartest and nicest!!! RIP19 hours ago · Like

  • Connie Hardy Jennings I, too, am heartbroken and shocked. Sameer was a great guy and will be sorely missed.18 hours ago · Like

  • Emily Painter-Davis I was new to the school our Junior year and he was so nice to me. What a great loss. Blessings to his family and friends.18 hours ago · Like

  • Lance Lazar Sameer just reconnected with many Amherst friends at his 25th reunion this May, and I just reconnected with him as well on Facebook and talked with him just a week ago. He spoke so lovingly of his wife, daughter, and son, and was as sharp and funny as always. It was as though no time had gone by. His passing leaves a terrible gap for so many. He was so full of life and spirit. Strength and solace for his family and many many friends.18 hours ago · Like

  • Le Donna Gray Berman This is such a tragedy – I also just recently reconnected with Sameer on Facebook we were classmates from high school – I also remember him as a brilliant young man who was a true leader – my heart is heavy for his family -14 hours ago · Like

  • Larry Pohlmann My sincere condolences to his family and friends… so young, this is sad.14 hours ago · Like

  • Joni Dumont Taylor I remember Sameer, and he is an exact example of why I believe those of us who grew up military, and in Satellite, have a better and greater tolerance of people from all walks of life. Judge ye not lest ye be judged . My heart goes out to his family.14 hours ago via Facebook Mobile · Like

  • Jim Greene When I got Josh’s FB message today at work, it stopped me in my tracks. It made all the craziness of work suddenly seem silly and unimportant. Quickly my thoughts turned to Satellite High so many years ago when we were so close. I lived at his house on Tortoise Island nearly every weekend. We hosted a big senior class party there the last month of our senior year. He was a terrific friend, loyal, intelligent, funny with a great sense of humor. Even as I write this the lump in my throat grows bigger and my heart breaks for his entire family.14 hours ago · Like · 2 people

  • Larry Pohlmann He’s been added to doc Jimmy McGowan.14 hours ago · Like

  • Jimmy McGowan Thank you, Larry!13 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Jeff Evans I was new to Satellite Beach in 9th Grade and I also remember Samir as a welcoming and friendly person. He will be missed.13 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Lisa Guill Maxson ‎Jim Greene, I remember that party. What a great group of young people. Eric Moeller (I think) has pictures from the party on facebook.

  • It really puts things into perspective.13 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Cynthia Ann Wensinger I remember and joking around with Sameer and yes I thought I was smart but he was stellar and wicked and funny. I think I can say those of us that were lucky enough to have reconnected with Sameer Shah realize how very lucky we are.12 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Craig Norheim Sameer was an awesome ..and brilliant guy. I haven’t seen him in years but it is sad know know that I won’t get another chance to see him again.12 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Sandy Alison Wagner Very, very sad news indeed…my sincere condolences to Shah family.4 hours ago · Like

From Ken Sandlin, Satellite High friend

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Everyone who met Sameer immediately knew some important things about him:

1) Sameer was always laughing. Always. He had the innate sense and understanding of what was meaningful and important. And one of those meaningful and important things was to laugh when we can. He did so often–probably 100 times a day–if not more.

2) Sameer was wickedly smart and insightful.

3) Sameer was a great friend and was always sharing his gifts of humor and intelligence to those around him–especially his friends.

Sameer shared great insight with a charming sense of humor–which is a rare and welcome gift. And it will be missed–but it lives on in our memories of him.

Ray Ubinger, High School friend

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When I met Sameer
1980-81

Where Sameer and I spent time

High school journalism class. I “caught” him reading the Wall Street Journal. I was naive, esp compared to his worldliness. I said something stupid like, “How stodgy, nothing fun ever happens in that paper.” And he said, “What, it’s a great business newspaper, and I want to make money, that’s fun!”
Sameer was a year older than I but we had a number of friends in common. We enjoyed Brain Bowl together. I really looked up to him, he was so bright and funny and cool. He was kind, too, not holier than thou, and a good listener. Even if he knew he was going to have to smash your argument to pieces when you were done talking. :) I think his kindness of soul shows very well through his eyes in the closeup pic of him at this site.
I envy all you people who kept in touch with him all these years. I had not seen him since 1988 – he introduced me to Thai cuisine on my one and only trip to NYC. But I will always think of his personality as being iconic of a what a great high school classmate is. I hope his family and closer friends find some small solace from my deep sympathy at this terrible loss, of a colorful, brilliant, confident, good man.