Dr. Larry David Samuels
Dr. Larry David Samuels, age 90, peacefully passed into the light on April 25, 2024, from heart failure, after only two days of hospice care in his St. Louis, Missouri home. He leaves behind his wife of almost fifty years, Lucia Mannhard Samuels, his seven children – Shirley, Lawrence Keith, Nils, Rolf, Lisa, Joel and Maya, over eighteen grandchildren and great grandchildren and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.
Larry was born Oct. 17, 1933 in Galesburg, Illinois to Arthur and Ruth Samuels of rural New Windsor, Illinois. Larry was a lifelong learner, beginning his education at a one room country school, to town for high school, then Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois to study biology and chemistry, University of Illinois, Chicago for his medical degree, Harvard School of Public Health for his Masters Degree and work toward a Doctor of Science degree in Environmental Health. In 1973 he received an Honorary Doctorate from Blackburn College, where he also served on the Alumni Association and was again recognized in 2018, placing him on their Science Wall of Honor. In 2002 Larry received a bachelor’s degree in Music and Pacific Studies from the University of Hawaii, Hilo. Larry was a pioneer in Pediatric Nuclear Medicine, establishing a clinical department at the Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio (1965-1972).
He loved to travel and explored his Swedish ancestral roots, even spending a sabbatical year (1971) in Stockholm, Sweden. A major highlight of his life with Lucia was living in Israel from 1976-1981, where they had a renewal of their Christian faith and Larry was given the position of Associate Professor of Nuclear Medicine at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem, a leading medical center for the Middle East. Israeli Prime Ministers Golda Meir and Menachem Begin were among his patients and during this time Larry initiated professional peacemaking exchanges between Israel and Egypt. On returning to the USA, Larry took up the position of Director of Nuclear Medicine at St. Louis University Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri from 1982-1990. After an early retirement Larry and Lucia moved to Hilo, Hawaii where they spent twenty five beautiful years, enjoying island life, supporting Hawaiian culture, making music, and volunteering in the community supporting the local schools, various music programs and the Imiloa Astronomy Center.
Larry and Lucia settled back in St. Louis in 2019 to be near family and became involved in the musical, cultural and spiritual life of the greater community. Larry has gifted his body to St. Louis University School of Medicine to further their education and research. No immediate services will be conducted, however, various memorials will be held throughout the year to honor this brilliant, caring and faith-filled man. Messages of condolence can be sent to llsamuels@gmail.com.
Special thanks to the communities of St. Francis Xavier (College Church), St. Catherine LaBoure, and Sts. Peter & Paul, Soulard, for all their prayerful support.
Dr. Samuels’ daughter Shirley was my first roommate at Blackburn College, and he would visit often. He and lovely Lucia would also visit the campus at Homecoming. He was always the gentleman, and always ready for good conversation. I knew he was accomplished, but oh my, reading all his accomplisments, I am in awe. He will be missed at Blackburn.
My condolences to Lucia, Shirley, and the rest of the family.
Lucia, what a wonderful life. Your Mom would keep us informed as to your whereabouts (we often met your parents at the Casino!). I am glad to hear Larry died peacefully after a short time in hospice. What a beautiful legacy Larry left to so many people. The world was blessed to have known him.
oh sweet Larry you will be missed… Dear Lucia I look forward to dancing with you and all of our lives as we hold Larry in our hearts
Thank you for the love already shared here and already I have an update that Larry will be especially remembered at the Sun. June 2, 10 am Mass at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Soulard, here in St. Louis. Please come if you’re able and we’ll also gether at the nearby St. Louis Bread Co. afterwards to have time to share more.
Dad.. We will miss you so much, but your love and joy lives within our family. It definitely has been a journey with you for the past 37 years. Being the youngest out of your 7 children I was blessed to be apart of the Samuels family. I will live my life in love and joy just like you told me during your final days, that love and joy is the best part of life. Thank you for your love and kindness, I will pass this on to my family and others for the rest of my life.. Until we meet again dad, I will see you on the other side <3
I didn’t know him but he seems like a wonderful human being. But I’ve been working at Slu for 29 years so we are Slu family. I’m sorry to hear of his home going but the bright side to this is he is in no more pain & you will see him again. Rip Praying for you his family & friends.
My heart goes out to you and all of your family.
It has been 6 months since my dear Larry passed from heart failure. This has been an emotional grief journey, filled with sadness, losing my faithful life partner, but also filled with gratitude for all the love and spiritual companionship Larry brought me for over 50 years. On Oct. 25 of this year Larry beautifully was remembered at the annual interfaith memorial service for all gift body donors to St. Louis University Med. School and his cremains are now buried at the SLU plot at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery on Gravois Rd. in south St. Louis.
I am so thankful to all who have sent me encouraging cards, messages and prayers over these 6 months. I especially appreciate the grief support I’ve received through Mercy South Hospice and the St. Catherine LaBoure Church “Grief Share” program, as well as Soul Dance sessions, texts and phone calls with family and friends and the other communal services at St. Francis Xavier & Sts. Peter & Paul Churches. I will carry on in love, with God (and Larry in the Spirit).