Sam died Dec. 8, 2006, at his home in San Jose, Costa Rica. Born in New Orleans, he subsequently lived in Madisonville, La., Costa Rica, and Chile. At Princeton he wrote his thesis about the civil war in Costa Rica and the birth of the Caribbean Legion. After graduation he spent two years on active duty with the Naval Reserve, and then earned a master’s and a doctorate from the Sorbonne.
Sam authored five books, held many teaching posts, and in 1975 became the founder of the CIAPA, a “think tank” affiliated with Tulane University and dedicated to analyzing Central American politics and economics. After the death of his mother in 1994, he took her place as president of the Zemurray Foundation. Its beneficiaries included the New Orleans Museum of Art, where Sam was an honorary lifetime trustee. He was the beneficiary of many international honors.
He is survived by his wife, Haydee; three daughters, Haydee, Alison, and Stephanie; and six grandchildren. The class extends its condolences to his family.