Samsudin “Sam” Rijken (October 8, 1941 – July 20, 2021), devoted and loving husband, father and brother, passed away at the Vancouver, Washington VA Medical Center after a 9-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Born in Indonesia in the days prior to WWII, Sam and his older brother Djummadin, experienced first-hand tensions of war on their homeland. Sam and his mother, Emmy, left Indonesia after the war with his stepfather, Max, and landed in Holland where Sam spent the rest of his formative years. In 1962, Sam immigrated to the United States with his family, residing in Newport, Oregon, before signing up to serve in the US Army. He earned his US citizenship through his military service, which began in Viet Nam and took him to bases around the world including Italy and Korea. While stationed in North Carolina, Sam met and married his wife Kay. Sam was particularly proud to be a member of the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles” and the Army Special Forces Green Beret. After a 20-plus year commitment, Sam retired from the Army and went on to work for, and retire from, the Veterans Administration Health Care System in Portland, Oregon.
Family came first to Sam. He reveled in spending time with his wife Kay and son Chris. He was a huge advocate for his son’s education and athletic endeavors. The family always took a yearly vacation to spend time together at the beach in Seaside. When he had time for himself, he liked to attend antique car shows, Trail Blazers games and the occasional poker game with his friends. He sometimes liked to escape to Spirit Mountain to test his luck.
Education was also very important to Sam. As an immigrant, he recognized that a good education opened many doors. Later in his adult life, Sam completed night courses ultimately earning his Bachelor of Arts In Business Administration from Concordia College.
Sam is survived by his wife Pakavadee “Kay” Rijken, son Christopher Rijken, sister Hedy Rijken and brother Randy Rijken.
The funeral service will be held at Finley-Sunset Hills, 6801 SW Sunset Highway, Portland, on Friday, July 30 at 11:30 am. (For GPS users enter 1950 SW Camelot Court – the cemetery is adjacent to the apartment complex.) A reception will be held following the service.
Donations can be made to the ALS Association – Oregon and SW Washington Chapter, 700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 210, Portland, OR 97232.
Arrangements by Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary and Sunset Hills Memorial Park.
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