Samuel Jackson Lanahan ’41

Sam died May 29, 1998, at his home in Dartmouth, England, having been stricken while crossing on the Q.E.II. Having prepared at St. Paul's School, Sam -- also known as Jack -- rowed and boxed his freshman year. Thereafter he concentrated his sports efforts on boxing under his friend and coach, sculptor Joe Brown. In the summer of sophomore year Sam, a light-heavyweight, won the Maryland state championship in Golden Gloves competition. He majored in English. Sam belonged to Ivy Club, where he formed a friendship with Thacher Longstreth, whose campaign for mayor of Philadelphia Sam managed.

Sam was navigator on aircraft carriers in WWII as a lieutenant and then attended Columbia Law School. Finishing in two years, he practiced in NYC and Washington. Until retirement Sam was a partner in the Washington firm of Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering.

For recreation Sam enjoyed sailboat racing in Chesapeake Bay and retired to a beautiful 17th-century house there. He was our class agent in the early 1960s and was a trustee of the F. Scott Fitzgerald ['17] Foundation. Scott was the father of Sam's first wife Scottie. Sam was instrumental in the donation of many Fitzgerald works to Firestone Library.

To Sheila, his wife of 30 years, his mother, brother Wallace '40, son Samuel, and daughters Eleanor and Cecilia, the class extends its deepest sympathy.

The Class of 1941