Samuel J Kelch
April 29, 1941 - December 9, 2011
Obituary
“To all my friends, Hello Sunshine” Samuel was born in Dublin, Ireland on April 29, 1941 and passed away at his home in Kent, Washington on December 9, 2011. Samuel served 4 years in the U.S. Navy. He joined the Kent Police Department in 1972 and held many positions until his retirement in 1990. From 1990-1998 he was employed by Valley Medical Center. He then changed employment to the Emerald Queen Casino as a Tribal Gaming Investigation Special Agent and retired again in 2008. He was very passionate about cycling and shared this love with all who would listen. Samuel will be loved and missed by his wife, Diane, his daughters Tammi, Kelly & Nikki (his beloved kitty), grandchildren Joshua, Alexa, Brandon & Brandi, his brother Patrick & 2 nieces and a nephew. Memorials can be made to American Cancer Society.
I worked with him for several years. He was a real fun loving guy! It is very true and I will always remember his typical greeting “Hello Sunshine!” A greeting that he often used with everyone. My condolences go out to his family.
I can still remember my first day at Kent PD. It was snowing and I told my husband I can’t call in my first day; especially in police. There was no one to start my training so I went to coffee with the Captain and Sam. I thought to myself “what a character”. Sam was a fun person with a terrific laugh. He made my transition to police much easier. Say Hi to my Steve!
God Bless his family.
I am so very sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. Everyone thought so highly of Sam and he will be missed, but not forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult period. Diane if you need anything please just call.
Take care, Becky
I was blessed to meet Sam in 1979 when I was hiring on at Kent. I remember the kindness and wise counsel that Sam provided during my stay there. Sam, you and your family are in my family and my prayers and we wish you all peace….and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
I had not seen Sam in a long time, but when we got
together at Choir practice it was just like we never missed
a beat. I know how much he loved you diane and his
family. I know he will be very missed.
God Bless you all
I will miss the Irishman. He was so much fun to work with……..always had something to make me laugh. He was also deeply caring about his family and friends. I remember hearing the tape of him singing to his daughters at nighttime and thinking that wasn’t surprising. He was crazy about his girls……….Diane and his daughters and then his grandchildren. I think of him every time I get into the Camaro I talked him out of a few years ago at a PD old timers breakfast. I will miss him!
Sam gave me my polygraph when I hired on at Kent PD in the late 70’s… I forgot to be nervous – it was that accent! I remember seeing and talking to him at a choir practice a few years ago and will always remember that face. His biggest smile always came when he was talking about the love of his life, Diane.
It was always a pleasure to work with Sam. His sense of humor made the time go quickly. He always cared for the people he worked with and had a special way of letting the crime victims know he cared for them as people also.
I have known Samuel’s brother Patrick over 20 years, and I am sure Samuel must be as precious. I hope the family will accept my condolences although I didn’t know him directly. May God bless and comfort you all at this time, and be assured that he is with those others of our loved ones with God.
To Diane and family,
I am very sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. He was a good man and a fine partner on the street. An Irish cop.
Sam was tough, real tough, he boxed back when…but I never saw him hit anyone.
What a voice to listen to…
No one could watch Same play a game of baseball and not laugh at the over-the-shoulder-lob like he was throwing a crickett ball.
He left the world a better place than he came into it. He made me laugh, and he remained an Irishman. Bless his heart.
There is a Celtic saying, “Heaven and Earth are only three feet apart, but in the thin places that distance is even smaller.” See ya in the thin place, my friend.
It will always be “Hello Sunshine” just the way Sam greeted everyone. Just saw Sam at one of our Saturday breakfast and I will cheris that day. Always a friend and will surely miss him. To the Family I send my condolences.
.There is another greeter at the gates and it is , smiling down upon us with that great Irish smile.
It’s been many years since I’ve spoken to Sam, but I have wonderful memories. “Hello Sunshine”, always smiling, forever dashing, Sam always made me laugh. Being Irish, and me English, led to some great talks.
To his family, I send all my blessings. Diane, it was always clear the love he had for you, and the adoration he had for his “girls”. My wish is that you find comfort in your memories, and the love of his many friends.
The world has lost a wonderful man, but Heaven is much sweeter.
We,each of us who knew and loved Sam are diminished with his passing. His love for “Diane and the girls” was the compass by which I finally found my family for whom I live and breathe. Sam’s humor taught me the value and comfort of ” a great cup of tea” as well as “Jameson…the best thing to pour into a water glass”. It is nearly 40 years now since I first met him. Sam Kelch…you will be missed but not forgotten brother.
Going on shift and hearing Sam’s distinctive voice on the radio was always something I liked to hear. Getting together with him during the course of a long shift was something I always looked forward too.
Sam, “May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again, May God hold you
gently in the hollow of His hand.”
Diane,
Sorry to learn that Sam passed away. My sympathy goes to you and your family.
I will miss seeing Sam at the annual fall Kent Police Dept. retiree party. Sam was always friendly and I enjoyed his Irish voice.
Geneva
It’s been years, and I, too, worked with Sam at Kent PD in the late-70s. “Hello, Sunshine” made each one of us feel special and always brought a smile. Still does.
There are so many fond memories of Sam, he gave me my polygraph in 1981 and he was so entertaining it was hard to be nervous. When he greeted you with his “hello sunshine” it made you smile. Sam will be missed but I have no doubt we will see him again someday. Diane I am sorry for your loss, Sam was a good man and I’ve never known a more devoted husband and father. You were his one true love. God bless you and your family in your time of sorrow.
All of us who knew, worked with and loved Sam are sadden with his passing. I first met Sam almost 40 years ago and worked with him on C squad and in the Detectives. His “hello sunshine” greeting was always there no matter how good or bad things were. Sam always had 2 things to talk about, his beloved Diane and the girls and then cycling. We will all miss him but never forget the great Irishman.
I worked with Sam for many years. He was the definition of a gentleman. I remember him as being a very kind and caring person. He was upbeat and yes he greeted everyone with a smile and his trademark greeting. He will be missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Sam and I worked together for a few years. He had a great sense of humor and will be fondly remembered. I got him the job at EQC and we worked together again. I’m so sorry that I had not seen him in the fast several years.
Thanks Sam. I still remember you administering my polygraph back in ’79 and all of the good natured ribbing that went on over the years. You are a good friend and will be missed. Diane, my condolences to you and your family. Sam was a very good man with a great heart. Until we meet again! Again thanks for your friendship.
As I read these comments, I find that there is not much to add. I had Sam as a close friend for over 40 years. We were detectives together and friends in retirement. It has been a great honor assisting Diane with the notifications of Sam passing as well as helping me cope with it. Sam was and is a great friend.
I will miss him at our next CHOIR PRACTICE, but his spirit will be there. I was not afraid to say that I loved him. There are many stories to tell. So lone Sam, until–.
Fletch
I know we will all miss Sam at the Choir Practices; we will raise a toast to him at every practice.
Our hearts go out to Diane and the entire family that will miss Sam”s good nature.
I enjoyed working with him and knowing him as a friend.
You will be missed.
RIP SAM!!
I’ve known Sam since 1976, when I worked for Probation
Dear Diane, Tami and Kelly. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for allowing us to share our fond memories of Sam. I hope you find comfort hearing how so many of us knew you and your daughters and Sam’s eternal love for each of you…through his stories.
I started at Kent PD in the early 80’s and had the pleasure of sharing the 3rd floor of the PD with Sam. Sam loved to parade the new hires by my desk on their way to their Poly, he would always look back for my thumbs up or down.
It has been a long time since I’ve heard that voice and seen that smile. Sam and I worked together for over 17 years at Kent PD and he was and will always be one of the “Good Guys”! Carol and I send our condolences to you, Diane, and your family.
I was so happy to see Sam at the retiree’s breakfast in August as it had been years since we had a chance to visit. Sam had his big smile and I will always remember how much he made me laugh at work! I asked him to speak once to a woman’s group, what a hoot! He was sweating and nervous, he had stage fright! : ). We are so sorry Diane, Tammi, Kelly and the whole family for your loss. IWe are sure Sam called out to the Lord ” Hello Sunshine” upon entering heaven.
I am sorry to hear about Sam as I did not know he was sick. My thoughts and prayers are with Dianne, his daughters,all his family and friends at this most difficult time. Sam will be missed by many. I am honored to have worked with Sam at KPD. His infectious laugh, big smile and that whole head motion and rolling of the eyeballs when he was flabbergasted about something stupid. I am so sorry about missing the last few “Old Timer Breakfasts.” Life is so short and our KPD Family is hurting
Gone from all of us but you will never ever be forgotten by any of us. Rest in Peace Sam.
My condolences to Sam’s family.
Sam was a very special person that treated everyone with kindness and care.
I have known Sam for several years through his daughter at my office and I can easily say he was one of the most likeable guys you could ever meet. I never had to ask anything of him but I know that if I needed his help in any way he would not have hesitated. He was also the kind of person that no matter how well you knew him he was someone you could put your complete trust in. He was always positive person and he will surely be missed.
I’ll miss Sam. I’m so greatful to have been part of his life. I remember when he walked down the street he’d greet everyone. It seemed as though he knew everyone on the West hill. If I was looking for someone he’d pull out his little book and usually find the name, and sometimes where he would be. As time marched on I especially cherished our CHOIR PRACTICES. Telling the old stories and laughing out loud. I bet when Saint Peter saw Sam coming he said HELLO SUNSHINE I’ve been waiting for you.
I worked Detectives with Sam as his partner for several years. I never met a more gracious man. As I look upon his picture….I have nothing but fond memories……I cant find the words. Best years of my career…my life
I remember Sam and I taking a Political Science class together at GRCC. I think the teacher, Julie Woods (later a Kent City Council-woman) liked him better. Ha! Ha! HE could do not wrong. Regardless, we both made it to retirement (APD
As I read these messages, I gain more pride that I knew Sam and feel closer to him and his family. Some of these notes really bring back memories of friends from the past and present.
Fletch.
I was lucky enough to meet Sam when he first came to the
departmemt and then from GRCC. Sam could light up any
room. He will be a great loss and I know will be missed by
all who knew hiim.
I will miss seeing Sam at the “old timers” breakfast as he always had a smile on his face for everyone. He was fun to work with and made the job much more fun. My condolences to the family, he will be missed greatly.
Having known Sam for only a few short years, I always enjoyed his ever present good nature and Irish lilt. Bob Holt reminds me that Sam had a special feeling for the “West HIll”.
Rest in peace Sam. Our condolences to Diane and the family.
Gary & Lana
A little bit of Sunshine, a little bit of Rain, little bit of Pleasure, a little bit of Pain. In the wonder of life Sam gave us all “Much Sunshine” Bridget & I both were very blessed and honored to have known Sam, he was a good Man
It was special to have the opportunity to spend the last hours with Sam and his last words were Joe, can we go to Hawaii and enjoy LIFE to the end. This was so special because we talked about this 3 years ago, but because of the time and situation it was not good, but I did tell Sam that No Matter what I LOVED him and Family and whatever is needed I will always be there for them. ALOHA HAWAIIAN JOE.
Sam was one that could be counted on to complete a job that needed to be resolved. He was a PROUD person and he Loved his FAMILY. He was Proud of his children and his WIFE Diane for all those years together.
This Joe K, The Hawaiian and yes, SAM was a Special individual and a person Friend that I will Always have in my heart. He Was one that would keep my BACK as one LAW enforcement officer to Another. He was Honest and Trustworthy, but I will remember his words (Good Morning Sun Shine). That’s what made him separate from everybody else.
with Jennings and Goodchild. Look out up here! 🙂
The Old Irish Blessing to you…
First, my condolences to the Kelch family. Sam LOVED his family! Sam hired on KPD the year after I did. I remember his smile, the sparkle in his Irish eyes, the look on his face when he was expecting to get some kind of reaction from what he had just said (I think he practiced on us at the station; felt sorry for the bad guys out there – ha ha), the giggle in his laugh. He was a lot of fun to work with! He’s with Jennings
I am very much interested in Family History. My Grandmother was a Kelch I’m sure Sam was a distant cousin. I’d love to know where in Dublin he was born. There were only about three or four families with that name in the Census of 1901/1911