Posted by The Rev Harry W Crandall '56 on April 30, 2012:

It is with deep regret that I say farewell to Sam Gates. Sam and I were classmates (and runts) together. Sam with all his engineering smarts and accomplishments was in A-2 and I with far less academic prowess was in B-2. We had known each other before our West Point days, and our friendship continued into our Cadet years. I'd like to say that we were in many classes together but hives and goats saw little of each other! In Yearling year I struggled with the Math Department and tragedy struck when just before Christmas leave, when grades were posted in the sally port, there was a notation by my deficient grade that announced I would be required to take the turn out exam in calculus. I was plunged into despair and agonized over the prospects of being found. Enter Sam Gates who appeared in my barracks room the day after Christmas leave began. He announced that if I would like, he would give up a large portion of his Christmas in order to coach me in the wonderful world of Calculus. "If I would like!" It was like a breath of air to a drowning man! To paraphrase scripture: "Greater love hath no man than to sacrifice his precious family time in order to coach his mathematically challenged friend! From that day on until the day of the exam, Sam drilled me on the art of calculus...day in and day out...hour after hour. I took the exam and hoped I ad not failed my mentor. The days after the examination were agonizing as I tried to finally enter into the joys of Christmas. At last I was called to the Math Department and given the news that I had passed with a 67; 66 and 2/3rds being the cut off. So Sam, among all the laurels you have received, none is greater or more appreciated in my eyes than the gift of friendship and sacrifice you made for me that Yearling Christmas. I am eternally grateful for our last meeting when you and Emma stopped by for lunch and a visit here at our home on Virginia's Eastern Shore. We told each other of our harrowing experiences with my close call and as I thanked him anew for his friendship so I repeat it now again. Well done my treasured friend.

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