Sam Combs

Sam Edward Combs passed away on Wednesday Sept. 21, 2016 at 1:57 AM in IU Health Arnett Hospital of Lafayette, IN.  Sam was born in South Bend, IN.  on March 17, 1951 the first son of Mary Joan (Page) Combs and Roscoe “Jack” Combs.

Sam grew up in Cass County and graduated from Lewis Cass Jr./Sr. High in 1969 with honors. Sam flourished in academics and attended the summer Advanced Science Institute at Indiana University (IU) while still in high school.

After graduation Sam attended and graduated from IU in 1973 with Degrees in Microbiology and Philosophy. Sam moved to southern California at Professor Herbert Marcuse’s invitation to work on a Ph.D. in Philosophy at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 1973.

Sam’s intellectual studies and applied research at UCSD grew as he continued to work with various scholars across numerous departments.  In addition to working with and for several UCSD professors, Sam enjoyed teaching Writing to undergraduates in the English and Literature Department’s Writing Program.

Hugh “Bud” Mehan, a professor in the Sociology Dept. at UCSD (also an ex-pat from IU), worked with Sam in the field of Ethnomethodology, a new approach in researching social membership and cultural systems.   Bud introduced Sam to Harold Garfinkel, a UCLA professor considered to be the founder Ethnomethodology.  This unique field of Sociology was foundational in Sam’s research and Ph.D. work in Sociology.

Sam also worked closely with Dr. Bennetta Jules-Rosette in a Graduate Research group studying sociological theory, semiotics and ethnographic film, co-creating the Laboratory of Ethnographic/Audio Visual Studies (LEAVS). Sam received his Masters and Ph.D. from the Department of Sociology, University of California, San Diego.

Sam and a team of fellow doctoral students were awarded a research fellowship at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Science Sociales in Paris, France, to share their American ethnomethodological and semiotic research into scientific knowledge creation with Professor Gerard LeMain’s French graduate research team and A.J. Griemas’ Semiotics Research Group.  This scholarly exchange led to invitations to lecture and present research projects at the University of Paris Sorbonne and at the University of Paris at Saint Denis.  Subsequent lectures led to an offer to teach at the Univ. of Paris for another year, with additional research and teaching in Germany and England.

Returning from France in 1986-87, Sam relocated to Los Angeles to work with an apparel business software company, a start-up and off-shoot of IBM.  Sam enjoyed the art and culture of Los Angeles. While there he shared his breadth and depth of knowledge in Religious Studies through small Christian study groups in a church he joined.  Sam made his proofreading and editing skills available to his many friends in the creative arts writing plays about popular culture and the human condition.  Sam enjoyed adventure travels with his brother John and a dear friend visiting Belize and Guatemala (Mayan ruins), as well as safari in South Africa, including white water rafting on the Zambezi River.

After a brief residence in Palm Springs, Sam finally retired and relocated back to the hometown he loved so much, Logansport. When friends visited he happily provided “the tour” of Logansport with much pride; antique stores and the Logansport Historical Society were favorite mainstays.  No summer day was complete without a visit to Sycamore after a couple of pork tenderloins were enjoyed en route.

Sam loved to read.  He was happiest sharing his findings whether as a deacon or a teacher in a lecture hall.  In his retirement, he opened a Learning Center.  Its mission was to be a place where others could come utilize his massive library of rare and classic books for research, inspiration and good conversation. Sam had classical music, an impressive collection of miniatures, and American art pottery to remind him of the human consciousness involved in the creation of beauty.  Sam made a lasting impression on many people. His friends in college called him a “culture miner.”  For Sam, there was no question that couldn’t be answered by way of a little research.  He was a brilliant Renaissance Man and the Learning Center was a proud accomplishment in his life.

Sam deeply loved his family and countless friends. They will forever remember him for his intellectual drive and many talents.  His deep love of God came from his mother Joan’s lifetime of spiritual practice; Sam’s love of knowledge was a direct reflection of his father Jack’s keen autodidactic gifts. His nieces and nephews held a special place in his heart and his Granny Butler, along with Aunts Myrtle and Jean were without fault in his eyes. The annual summer Page family reunions on his parents property, and later his brother John’s property, were a highlight of his life!  The food, the stories around the campfire, the love between the diverse crowd of cousins, aunts and uncles continued the legacy of Grandma Page’s importance in Sam’s life--true moments of pure joy and family pride.

Sam was graced with God’s blessings by a family and friends who loved and cared for him until his last breath and in return Sam blessed God with his many efforts of helping others.  May eternal rest be granted unto him and may perpetual light shine on him forever.

Sam is survived by his father Jack Combs, sister Joyce Combs and brother John (Lana) Combs all of Logansport; several nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews.

Sam was preceded in death by his mother, Mary “Joan” Combs and his brother James Owen Combs.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday Sept. 25, 2016 in the Main Street United Methodist Church with Pastor Damon Sopher officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be from 2:00 PM until time of services at the church. The family suggests donations be made to the Main Street United Methodist Church in memory of Sam.

You may sign the guest book and send online condolences at www.gundrumcares.com