Peter Samson Obituary

Peter Samson passed away on August 17 in a tragic cycling accident in Little Compton, RI. Peter is one of five brothers born in Princeton, NJ to Hugh and Edith Samson. He is preceded in death by his parents and oldest brother, Blake Samson.

Peter is a graduate of Phillips Academy/Andover (1969) and received his B. A. from University of Pennsylvania (1973) while playing both Division I Ice Hockey and Lacrosse. He went on to earn a J.D. from New England School of Law (1976) where he served as the Managing Editor of the New England Law Review.

Peter enjoyed a successful career as an attorney, spanning over four decades with several highly respected law firms; with a lengthy partnership at White and Williams, LLP and finishing of counsel with Cipriani and Warner. His practice focused on medical malpractice and defending universities in a variety of litigation and education law matters, after starting as an attorney in the Philadelphia Public Defenders’ Office. Peter taught trial practice and litigation skills extensively for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Pennsylvania Defense Institute and the Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel, of which he is a past President. He chaired the Hearing Committee for the Disciplinary Board of Pennsylvania for nine years and served as an Adjunct Professor for Temple University Law School. He was selected in a survey of his peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer by Law and Politics Magazine for 2004-2006-2015, and was recognized as a Top-Rated Lawyer in Healthcare base on a rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Since the early 1990's, Peter's name has virtually been synonymous with Radnor Youth Lacrosse; a program he founded and led for over 20 years. He was a legendary youth lacrosse coach and mentor, inducted into the Eastern PA Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2017. The first-class program that he started from his garage, has produced players who have gone on to compete for Radnor High School, the top prep schools in Pennsylvania and many of the best college teams in the country. Legions of current and former lacrosse players often mention "Coach Samson" as having major impact in their lives. The recent Phillylacrosse.com article highlights further accomplishments including “his dedication to the Katie Samson Festival and Foundation (KSF), which was created to raise money for spinal cord research and quality of life programs for those with disabilities. The Festival, which will be 20 years old next April, has long been the single largest one-day high school event in the country (27 games) and has helped raise over $2 million since its inception in 2001.”

Peter was also involved in numerous charitable endeavors, serving as the Magee representative for the Thomas Jefferson University Board, Board Member of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Philadelphia Lacrosse Association, Katie Samson Lacrosse Foundation, and Wayne Presbyterian Church.

Peter loved spending summers with his family in the coastal town of Westport, MA, and enjoying winter ski trips to Mad River Glen in Waitsfield, VT; a Samson family stronghold. For all he gave to the community, he provided so much for his family. He had just retired and was looking forward to spending more time with his family as well as wood working projects, golf and traveling for cycling and football watching.

He will be remembered for his endless conversations with his dogs, his trademark rendition of "Surfer Bird' by the Trashmen, double knee drops, love of Motown music; his uncontrollable cackling laugh, his enthusiasm for Eagles football, and the ability to fall fast asleep in a noisy room with a spy novel on his lap. Most of all, we will remember Peter for his affection for people and zest for life. If you knew him well (as many do) he poked innocent fun every chance he got and was happy to receive the same treatment.

Peter is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Lynne Coughlin Samson, his children David (43) (wife Kate), Brian (41) (wife Gyll), Katie (39), Molly (25), and his first wife, Banny Ackerman; and his brothers Charles, Hugh and David. He was also a doting "grandpa" and “tickle monster” to his four grandchildren; Beatrice, Sebastien, Clare and Grace.

A celebration of Peter’s life will be held at Wayne Presbyterian Church, 125 E Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA on Friday, August 30 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow at St. David’s Golf Club, 845 Radnor Street Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Peter’s honor to the following organizations: Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, 1513 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 (https://mageerehab.org/get-involved/fundraising-events/), or, Radnor High School Scholarship Fund, PO Box 8244, Radnor, PA 19087 (www.radnorscholarshipfund.com) will be appreciated.