Samuel N Shapiro

Sam Shapiro, proudly 100 years old, passed away at his daughter Sandy's home on July 24, 2015, in Palo Alto, CA - surrounded by loving family. Funeral services will be at11:00 A.M. Wednesday at Congregation Beth Shalom in Sioux City. Rabbi Guy Greene will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Sinai Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Samuel Nathan Shapiro was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 11, 1915, to Hyman and Mindel Shapiro, the second oldest of six children, and soon moved to Mendota, Illinois, where he spent his growing up years. He lettered in football and track in high school, and as an equally accomplished student, was a member of the National Athletic Scholarship Society of Secondary Schools. The first member of his family to attend college, Sam graduated from the University of Illinois in 1939 with a degree in education. He then served in the Army during WWII and continued to serve in the Reserves after the war, ultimately attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1943, he married Marion Rocklin, of Sioux City, Iowa, and two years later, at Ft Bragg, North Carolina, the couple welcomed their first daughter into the world. Sam, Marion and baby Martha (Marti) moved to Sioux City, Iowa to begin their family life together. A second daughter, Sandra (Sandy), was born in Sioux City. Marion, the love of his life, passed away in 1984. Sam's famous curiosity, energy, and fortitude were evident in everything he did, including in multiple careers that ranged from teaching in a one room schoolhouse in Illinois to managing the sales team at Bolstein Creative Printers in Sioux City, to the marketing group at Sabre Communications, retiring at the age of 94. He loved his work. In his non-work hours, he stoked his and others' curiosity by reading history books, traveling the world with wonderful traveling companions, and never failing to ask questions. He was well-known in Sioux City, actively participating in the Sioux City Jewish community over the years, and serving as President of the Jack Greenberg Lodge of B'nai B'rith in 1957. He and his family were members of Mt. Sinai Temple, and Sam continued as a member of Congregation Beth Shalom. In 2009, Sam moved to California to be closer to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He continued to live an active life and recently celebrated his 100th birthday in May with family and friends. He was overjoyed to have so many people celebrate with him. Sam is survived by his daughters Marti Jacobs of San Mateo, CA and Sandy Korzenny (John Livingston) of Palo Alto, CA; grandchildren Michael (Erin) Jacobs, Adam (Rachel) Jacobs, Rachel Korzenny and Andrew Livingston, and great-grandchildren Josh and Sammy Jacobs, and Reilly Jacobs - and many, many, many nieces, nephews and close friends. Sam was a great friend, and his life was a reminder to us all to, in his words, "live life, have fun". Sam was preceded in death by his wife Marion Rocklin Shapiro, parents Hyman and Mindel Shapiro, sister Molly, and brothers David and Harry. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a scholarship fund dear to Sam's heart: the Marion Rocklin Shapiro Memorial Scholarship in Art, at Morningside College, in Sioux City, Iowa (800) 831-0806, ext. 5450 - or to a charity of your choice.