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The staff, patients, and associates of Sampson’s Prosthetic and Orthotic Laboratory Inc., mourn the passing of its founder and their friend, William Sampson, CP. Sampson loved helping people and shared that caring commitment with his family and all who knew him, according to a press release.
“Although he was skilled as a practitioner and focused on providing his patients their highest level of mobility, his approach to care was a gentle one, making his patients feel comfortable and cared for. His ‘gift of gab’ could coax conversation from even the most reticent talkers. Bill’s engaging bedside manners was genuine, because he really cared about people. Even in retirement, Bill would inquire about his former patients,” the release stated.
Sampson was born in Manhattan, the son of the late Ernest and Elvira Sampson. After graduating from high school, he worked for a jewelry manufacturer before entering the Army from 1952 to 1953. Bill served an additional 8 years with the Army reserve. In 1954, he married the former Alfrieda (Frieda) Morea.
Sampson began his career in prosthetics in the 1950s as an apprentice with the Institute for Disabled and Crippled in New York City. After 7 years, he became certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics (ABC). In 1961, he and several other practitioners formed a partnership in Schenectady.
In 1968 Samspson started his own firm, Sampson’s Prosthetic and Orthotic Laboratory Inc. in Schenectady, which he owned and operated for almost 49 years. Within a few short years of its founding, Sampson added a Glens Falls branch facility.
Throughout the 1960s and until his retirement in 2000, Sampson attended courses, seminars and clinical workshops on upper and lower extremity prosthetics at New York University, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and through the Veterans Administration in New York City. His professional specialty areas included advanced upper and lower extremity prosthetics.
Sampson and his wife raised four children: Donna, Patricia, William (Bill), and Robert. Son Bill joined the company full time as a certified prosthetist in 1985 and is now president of the firm. Daughter Patricia also works for the company.
“Bill embraced life to the fullest. Whether he was cheering on the Yankees and Giants, playing golf, spending time at the racetrack or casino, or enjoying an evening at the theater, Bill was always a friend to all,” the release stated. “A tremendous husband, father, grandfather and companion, Bill will be missed by all who knew and loved him.”
