Condolence From: Margaret Haupt
Condolence: This morning,we learned that Sam had passed from this good Earth early in May.
Tom & I first met Sam in 1990. While Tom & Sam shared creative inspirations for new metal sculptures & the results of their unique ideas, Sam & I developed a lasting friendship after he learned I had just started practice as the first full-time Nurse Practitioner here in The Gorge. Sam's experience in Ontario mentoring the first NPs in primary care was of great interest to me. Over the years, I met several practitioners who had worked with Dr. Pobanz. Their stories of his depth of knowledge as a rural MD in general practice, his calm & gracious demeanor with not only his patients but also with fellow providers and his keen sense of humor always made me smile. For a number of years, I brought Sam older, used medical and nursing text books which were no longer being used by area clinics. These and many more texts Sam collected over the years were sent, by Sam, to clinics in developing countries to help them educate their staff.
My husband and I wish to extend our deepest condolences to Sam's family and all of his friends. Sam truly touched the hearts of thousands of people in his 95 years here on this Earth. We will always remember him!
Margaret Haupt & Tom Herrera
Mosier, Oregon
Thursday July 23, 2015
Condolence From: Kay Ortman,FNP
Condolence: I was in Cambridge, ID starting a rural clinic when my preceptor/MD/legislator John Edwards died suddenly and I had to close the clinic because no other physicians would step up to help Cambridge keep its clinic open. Sam Pobanz contacted me several weeks later and that's when the fun began. He helped me grow professionally and even helped me personally when I was ill from post-parttum infection in Holy Rosary hospital. He worked with my gynecologist to pick a better antibiotic and I got better immediately!
I am now in Vancouver Wash, still practicing,on-call to a Primary Care Clinic, all because of Sam Pobanz. Blessings to Chris, Mariah, Betsy, Nancy, and Alan for their loss.
Thursday June 25, 2015
Condolence From: Richard Takao MD
Condolence: Lynda and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the Pobanz family upon the passing of Dr. Sam.
Upon reading his obituary it made me realize the depth and scope of his many talents and especially his dedication to serve others.
Whatever led him to make the life-altering decision to move to Ontario and start his family and medical career was a blessing to Ontario and all the many people whose lives he touched upon. When he started penicillin had only recently been available as the first manufactured antibiotic. Polio, TB, meningitis and a whole host of other maladies were prevalent and devastating. There were no ultrasounds, CT's, MRI's or electronic medical records nor the myriad of so many lab tests and other diagnostic aides available today. One had to actually listen carefully to their patients and then had to rely on thought-provoking clinical diagnostic acumen in order to properly treat patients. Super specialists were generally not immediately available to assist especially in rural communities.
Dr. Pobanz was talented in a wide variety of areas including music, the arts, as well as medicine and he shared all of these by giving generously of his time and energy. He served his country (US Army), his fellow man and his family to the very best of his ability. May he RIP
Monday May 25, 2015
Condolence From: Sheri Kelly
Condolence: Dear Nancy and family,
Our sympathies to you and your family on the loss of your father. I have fond memories of my visit with Sam and Aileen in Hood River. It was a special time getting acquainted with them in their home.
May God comfort you all,
Brian and Sheri Kelly (Julie Pobanz's birthdaughter)
Tinley Park, IL
Saturday May 16, 2015
Condolence From: Cammie O'Shaughnessy Bella
Condolence: Sam was one of the most important mentor/friends of my life (the two exceptions being my parents, Anne & Bill). He was the instigator of my move from Portland, OR, to Ontario, OR, in 1969. I was recruited to help set up and train nurses for the newly opened Coronary Care Unit at Holy Rosary Hospital there. A few years later, after my son was born, I went to work in Sam's office with him. He was a gifted teacher and mentor and I was encouraged to learn and expand my skills. When the physician preceptor for the first two pioneer Nurse Practitioners in ID lost their physician preceptor to death, Sam stepped in to be their preceptor as none of the ID doctors would do this. From that experience, he sought out funding and colleagues to provide the first nurse practitioner preparation program in ID or OR. I was one of the 10 RN's who were the student body. I spent another year or so working in his office as a FNP then went on to other adventures. I kept in touch with Sam during the years and was privileged to see him in Eugene several times and now have a growing friendship with Nancy as I live less than an hour away in Corvallis, OR. I'm confident Sam was welcomed "home" by the angels and those who have gone before. . .
Holding you in Love and fond memories, Sam.
Friday May 15, 2015
Condolence From: Theda Mickey
Condolence: I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Sam.
I was his morning receptionist in his Ontario, OR practice beginning in 1975 until he moved to Hood River, OR. Sam was a terrific doctor but most of all he was a wonderful friend. He was very dedicated to his patients and worked very long hours. If a patient couldn't come into the office, depending on the circumstances, he would make a home visit. Totally unheard of even in the 1970's-80's!
He was one of a kind and I feel so privileged to have known him and to have been his friend.
Wednesday May 06, 2015
Condolence From: Tina Castanares
Condolence: Sam was one of the real gentlemen of medicine. When I came to work as a doctor in Hood River, he made a trip to my office to welcome me to town, even though he might instead have seen me as a competitor in our modest downtown general medicine clinical practices. Sam was eloquent, thoughtful, and a renaissance man. His metal sculptures were fantastic. We had many talks, and I saw him as a role model of grace and manners in a profession which is not always so. He adored his wife Aileen, who was also a role model to me. Sam was the first man, perhaps, in the AAUW (American Association of University Women), eager to express his feminist principles and associate with educated and smart women. I've missed him since he left Hood River. Rest in Peace, Sam.
Saturday May 02, 2015
