Samuel Glover Breeland

Sam was born in Batesburg, S.C in 1926 and spent his first five years in nearby Wagener. As the son of a railroad dispatcher, the "little boy from Wagener", as he often referred to himself, held many fond memories of the freedom and adventure of hopping from town to town by train. He also loved the various activities provided by the First Baptist Chruch and the Boy Scouts, both of which established principles and skills that would prove to be powerful influences throughout life. Everything changed drastically a a result of the Great Depression, however, and he was challenged with the effects of extreme poverty and hardship throughout the remainder of his youth. He nevertheless excelled at every undertaking.

High school football stardom in Aiken, S.C. earned him a scholarship to the Citadel, but when the football program was cut due to war, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a prison guard from 1944-1946 . After the war, he continued his education; earning a B.S. in Zoology at the University of Georgia, a M.S. in Entomology from N.C. State, and a Ph.D in Entomology and Zoology from the University of Tennessee. While at N.C. State, he met and married the love of his life, Sara. Together they were a remarkable team for 70 years.

His career as a Medical Entomologist took them around the world, beginning with the Canal Zone Health Bureau. The start of a new career and the birth of their daughter made this a particularly special period for Sam and Sara. After returning to the U.S., Sam held positions as a Research Biologist at TVA, Professor and Head of the Department of Biology at Hardon-Simmons University, Research Entomologist for the Center for Disease Control at the Central America Malaria Research Station in El Salvador, and as Chief of the Medical Entomology Branch in Atlanta. During his tenure at CDC, he also served as a consultant and participant for encephalitis control in Equador, Central America, and USA and for dengue fever control throughout the Caribbean. He was an active participant in numerous national and international committees, seminars, workshops, and symposia. In 1975 he served as Chairman, Section D of the Entomological Society of America. He relocated to Florida and continued his work as a Research Entomologist with the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory and with the Mosquito Control Section of the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS). He also provided consulting services to USAID and PAHO for projects in Honduras, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Equador, and Sri Lanka and to various universities and regional health departments before retiring from the field in the late 1980s. His research is documented (S.G. Breeland) in over 70 published scientific papers, and he is cited in American Men and Women of Science and Who's Who in American Education.

In retirement, he applied his passion for writing to complete various personal projects including "From Eden to Bethlehem", a book based on his notes from an intensive seven-year Bible study. Travel, golf, college football, miniature woodwork, fitness activities, and bargain hunting at Solomon Ventures were also free-time favorites. He loved to share a smile (and usually a story or two) wherever he went and was a source of joy for all along his path.

He will be laid to rest at a private ceremony at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, FL. In lieu of a memorial gathering, friends and family are encouraged to share any special memories, wishes, and thoughts online at dignitymemorial.com in celebration of a life beautifully lived.