The Rev. Sam Ismir

The Rev. Sam Ismir, wonderful, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, entered eternal life with Christ, peacefully at home on Jan. 25, 2007, after a lengthy illness. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. MST today, Jan. 30, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, Colo., with a reception at the church immediately following. Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. MST at Resthaven Memory Gardens, Fort Collins.

Samih Abdallah Awad Yusef Ismir was born Dec. 22, 1933, in Jerusalem, Palestine. He received his elementary and high school education in the Holy Land and graduated from the Friends Boys’ School in Ramallah, Jordan, in 1950. In 1948, the Arab-Israeli War broke out in Palestine and caused his whole family (parents, three brothers and twin sister) to flee from their home in the New City of Jerusalem and live as refugees in the Old City of Jerusalem.

At the age of 17, he came to America to pursue his education at Waldorf College, Forest City, Iowa. After two years, he transferred to Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., and graduated in 1955. He then entered Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. In 1957- 58, he directed refugee operations in the Holy Land under the auspices of the Lutheran World Federation. In 1959, he graduated with a master’s of divinity degree. Upon graduation from seminary, he served as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Tomahawk, Wis. From 1962 to 1963, he attended Princeton University in Princeton, N.J., and received a master’s degree. He did additional graduate work at Butler University and the University of Wisconsin. He participated in a variety of workshops and seminars on mental health, developmental disabilities, alcoholism and drug abuse, marriage counseling, management skills and planning.

In 1964, Sam accepted a position with the North Dakota State Department of Health to develop statewide community mental health centers. In 1979, he was appointed as director of Mental Health Services, Department of Human Service. He served in that capacity until his retirement Jan. 1, 1997. In 1969, he received “The Gold Award” presented by the American Psychiatric Association in recognition of progress made in mental health in North Dakota. In 1971 and 1975, he received awards from the National Institute of Mental Health. In 1981, he received a meritorious award from the N.D. Mental Health Association. In 1992, he received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service.

Sam served on the board of directors of the N.D. Mental Health Association, N.D. Lutheran Social Services, Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Pride Industries and N.D. Conference of Churches. He was appointed by Governors of North Dakota to serve in a number of committees and task forces. He also served as a professor of psychology at Bismarck State College on a part-time basis. He was nominated as a candidate for the Office of Bishop of the N.D. District of the American Lutheran Church.

Sam was the author of numerous articles and publications. He conducted several seminars and workshops on a variety of topics. He lectured and spoke at many church services, conventions, civic and community clubs and organizations. He and his wife, Donna, were charter members at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck, where Sam served as pastoral counselor for 17 years. He also served as interim pastor in many churches throughout North Dakota.

In 1999, Sam and his wife moved to Fort Collins, Colo., to be close to family. Sam served Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Fort Collins for one year as an interim pastor. He also served Faith Lutheran Church in Eaton, Colo., and was on the pastoral staff at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Collins. He served on the board of directors of Good Samaritan Village and Larimer County Thrivent Board.

Sam was well known for his practical, easy-to-apply three-point sermons. He had an inherent insight into the conflict in the Middle East and enjoyed this topic of discussion, along with almost any other. Sam had a gift of caring and connecting with people, sharing his faith, sense of humor and love for all.

Sam was preceded in death by his father, Abdallah, and mother, Khadra.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 46 years, Donna; his daughter, Jody (Bruce) Lockwood and children, Joe, Samantha and Alexandra, Fort Collins, Colo.; his son, Troy (Jamie) Ismir and children, Travis and Sydney, Orlando, Fla.; his twin sister, Somaiah (Raji), Amman, Jordan; and his brothers, Awad (Yvonne), Overland Park, Kan., Zahi (Marilyn), Brainerd, Minn., and Basem (Mary), Blue Springs, Mo.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Samih A. Ismir Memorial Fund to be distributed to his sister and family in Jordan, to the Redeemer Lutheran Church, and Good Samaritan Village of Fort Collins, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colo. 80526.

Please visit www.allnutt.com to view Sam’s online obituary, sign the family guestbook and send condolences.

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