Samuel Kennett Wasaff, Jr.

Col Samuel Wasaff, Jr. (US Army, Ret) passed on peacefully on October 24, 2016 at Sentara Regional Hospital with his family by his side. He was born to Samuel and Afifa Wasaff and survived by his wife, Kay, children, Jeannie (Alan), Amy (Chris), Steven (Pam), as well as his beloved grandchildren, Katie, Karley, Emily and Maegan. Sam was very proud of his children and grandchildren and warned friends, “Do not press the grandpa button if you want a short conversation!” Sam is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Charles (Carolyn), Margaret (Dan), Lulu (Dick), Terri (Troy), and George (Heather) and his many loved nieces and nephews.

Sam was a 30-year Army veteran of two Vietnam tours with Vietnamese and US Army Infantry battalions. In his first 15 years, he served in command assignments from platoon to battalion (temporary) and battalion operations in combat. He had a master’s degree in mathematics and taught at USMA and various nearby community colleges where he was assigned. In his latter 15 years he served in operations analysis positions participating in Army management studies, operational tests of modernization equipment and development and fielding of combat simulations supporting staff and command training exercises. He managed the development, testing and fielding of combat training centers’ instrumentation and analysis hardware and software.

Upon retirement, he formed an engineering and analysis company with his children; the strategic objective of providing them with experience to go on to careers of their choice. He considered that time with them most precious. He later joined a defense contractor as a training analyst.

He enjoyed singing with the Catholic choir at posts where he was stationed and, in retirement, St Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Community. In all his lifetime he kept relatives, friends and benefactors in his heart and prayers.

A memorial service will be held in Sam’s honor at St Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Tabb at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016, with reception afterwards. His remains will be interred with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.