Samuel S. Rea ’61

Sam died Sept. 23, 2025, of kidney cancer in Washington, D.C.

Coming from a long line of Princetonians, he was born in Pittsburgh and came to us from Andover, with a post-graduate year in the U.K. At Princeton, he majored in history, took his meals at Ivy, rowed lightweights, and roomed with Curt Campaigne, Adrian Colley, Alex Forrester, Chip Hatch, and Fred Sheehan.

After earning an MA in African studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies — he was long fascinated with African history and culture — and a Ph.D. at Columbia in public law and government, Sam went on to a 30-year career at USAID, serving with distinction in Tanzania, Botswana, Senegal, and Madagascar, retiring as director of its office of education, global. He also taught at the Industrial College of the National Armed Forces Institute in Washington. In retirement he studied the Bible and Christianity and was a devoted member of the National Cathedral in Washington.

Sam is survived by his wife Julia, also a USAID retiree; sons Bayard and Benjmain from his first marriage; and four grandchildren.