Robert Greenleaf Samples (1929 - 2012)

Born 29 Aug 1929 in Wallback, Roane County, WV

Ancestors

Husband of Leona Gay (Tawney) Sinnett — married 1 Jul 1950 (to about 1971) in Uler, WV

Husband of Ann Cooper (Hardway) Samples — married 24 Jun 1983 in Giles, Va.

Descendants

Died 29 Apr 2012 at age 82 in Ripley, Jackson County, WV

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Gary Samples [send private message]

Biography

Bob Samples was born in WV along state route 36 in rural Roane County to William Hobert and Pearl Greenleaf Samples. Bob's father, Hobert, was the superintendent of a natural gas pumping station at Wallback. They lived in a company house that was furnished with running water, bathrooms and electricity, all of which was unusual during those days and through the depression. Bob attended a one room school at Wallback and then attended Spencer High School where he graduated.

Bob was inquisitive by nature and spent much time in learning how machines and equipment were constructed and worked. He loved steam engines and the rail road. This inquisitive nature lead him to move to Rand, WV near Charleston and enter the apprentice program as a machinest at the Dupont Corporation where he became a "first class machinest".

Bob then took a job at Elkim Metals in Alloy, WV near Gauley Bridge. It was during this time he married and had his first child, Gary Michael Samples. Gary was plagued with asthma as an infant. At the doctor's suggestion, Bob relocated his residence and eventually purchased a home at Valley Fork, WV. Gary's health improved remarkably due to the absence of air pollutants in Clay County.

Bob's new home had neither running water nor indoor bathroom. He immediately had Door Summers to drill a water well and then Bob built a bathroom and installed a septic system in the lawn. In 1956 nearly all of the families along Route 36 were engaged in adding such modern features to their homes.

Bob's employment at Elkim Metals over the next few years was interrupted by frequent lay-offs and union\labor disputes which led to strikes and work outages for Bob. During one such work outage Bob decided to go into the Service Station business and give up his job in the plant. He continued his work as a machinest by purchasing a large lathe that he located in the garage of his business. "Samples Service Station" became a reality featuring full service gas pumps, tire sales and repair, regular maintenance for all vehicles as well as contracted jobs only a machinest could do for the coal mines and logging businesses. He learned to electric weld, to use gas welding and cutting torches and to make many of the tools he would use while in business.

In the mid 1970's Bob was forced to close his business when the oil embargo sent gas prices soaring and the oil companies monopolized the sales of gas at the pumps. "Solo-stations" popped up everywhere that featured "self serve" gas pumps, no garages or routine maintenance and no tire sales. Gas companies owned these stations and sold gas at the same price Bob could purchase it wholesale.

Bob had little trouble taking a job for Pennzoil Company whose gas he had sold for years. His mechanical abilities made him a valued employee who could go out on the hills to pump and maintain a series of oil wells located in Lincoln and Kanawha Counties.

Bob was always happy with his life. He enjoyed working for himself as a businessman, salesman and skilled laborer. He was a hard worker and a good provider for his family throughout his life. He took pride in being able to afford a yearly vacation with his wife and children in Florida and South Carolina. He loved children, fast cars and solid work trucks. Bob loved life and lived it to the fullest until nearly the end when Parkinson's disease got the best of him.

Bob made a difference in this world and left it better than he found it. He was a positive role model for his children, grandchildren and children who frequented the service station in Valley Fork. He was always pleasant to be around and was a great talker.

Bob suffered from a condition known as carpel tunnel syndrome, a painful condition in his hands that was cured by a simple surgery on both wrists. Both his son, Gary Michael Samples and grandson, Jacob Eric Samples contracted this condition and also required surgery to correct the problem.. Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is a pinched nerve in the wrist. It caused great pain and numbness when reclined in bed or when standing gripping an object of very long.

Sources

This first hand information was entered by Robert Samples' son, Gary Michael Samples Sr.

Roane County, WV. Marriage Certificate, (see image)

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Gary Samples for starting this profile.

Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Gary and others.