In Memory

Samuel D. Ragent

RAGENT, Samuel Douglas
Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, February 4, 2004
San Francisco Chronicle

RAGENT, Samuel Douglas - In loving memory of Sam, 56, who died January 26, 2004 after being hit by a car while on a long distance bike ride. Sam leaves behind his loving wife, Leslie, and their two "children" Bear (chocolate lab) and Shasta (yellow lab). Sam's tragic death is also a blow to his close-knit family, especially his two older sisters, Wendy and Claudia; and his mother, Clara. Sam's life has been one full of intrigue, mystery, good deeds and adventure. He was born November 7, 1947 in Stockton. His family moved to the San Jose area in 1955.

Sam attended UC Berkeley during the tumultuous '60s where his rebellious spirit was nurtured. While at Cal, he earned a B.A. and M.A. in sociology. Sam was also a Ph.D. candidate in sociology. Sam worked for Peter Kalishar of CBS News in Paris in 1969. He was a visiting professor of sociology at Santa Clara for two years. Sam visited North Korea and China in 1976. Sam graduated from Golden Gate College of Law in 1983. He worked as a public defender in Stockton for seven years and most recently as a Staff Attorney for the First District Court of Appeal for 14 years.

Sam's life changed one morning when he arrived at a bus stop and met a fellow bus rider who later became his wife. Leslie brought such joy to Sam's life and to Sam's family. Sam and Leslie were married on August 14, 1993 after a four-year courtship. When describing her husband, Leslie says that Sam was a charismatic person who acted on his beliefs with passion and conviction. One of Sam's proudest achievements was the role he played in getting the City of Berkeley to divest from South Africa during apartheid. Sam was also fervently committed to equal justice for the less fortunate. He detested the notion that building more prisons and incarcerating more people could solve social problems. Sam gave most of his life to working on behalf of these and other causes, something Leslie describes as a compelling aspect of his personality.

While Sam's death is a tragedy, the family is finding comfort in knowing that Sam died doing something he loved - riding his bike. Please honor Sam in your thoughts and your approach to life; take his joie de vivre and make it your own. In respect to Sam's beloved Cal Bears, the memorial has been scheduled around the Cal/ASU basketball game. On Saturday, February 7, a group will gather at 9 am at Peet's Coffee on Domingo for a celebratory bike ride. The memorial will start at 11 am at the Redwood Bowl in Redwood Park. Donations can be made in Sam's name to Planned Parenthood (415-956-8856), Ducks Unlimited (901-758-3841), or Critical Resistance (510-444-0484).

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/RAGENT-Samuel-Douglas-2825959.php 



 
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06/20/15 10:11 AM #1    

Gloria M. Cheney (Hernandez)

Sam was the best of men- an intellectual, an athlete, bright, witty, passionate and compassionate.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

Gloria Cheney Hernandez

 

 

 


06/21/15 07:10 PM #2    

Nancy E. Unger

Well said, Gloria.  I found out that Sam had died when I googled his name last year to find out what he was up to.  I was devastated when I read his obituary.  A terrible, tragic loss.     Nancy Unger

 


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