Will was such a loving uncle and sweet human. He always had a big smile on his face and really paid attention to all of us. His love for education and art, travel and wine, friends and family was admirable and I will miss him. Such a blessing to have him in my life. Lots of love to all in attendance.

Will Saam was a treasure, a pleasure to work for and a delight to know...a solid human being. He will be sorely missed.

Will initiated the Biophysics program in the Department of Physics at OSU and he convinced me to join OSU as the first bio-experimental group. He gave constant support and showed great enthusiasm, often visiting my office to chat the progress. I am sure he is so happy to see the program doing well today. His vision, passion, persistence and humor are admired and even inspire us. He is a good man and is truly missed!

I will miss my Grandpa Will so dearly. Some of my favorite memories with him were our morning trips to Alden together when we would vacation at the cottage in Torch Lake, MI. Will and I would both wake up before everyone else (admittedly, he would usually have to wake me up) and we would drive into Alden to pick up the morning newspapers and muffins from the Muffin Tin. I always cherished our conversations during those drives, and will continue to miss them forever. 

Thank you Will for bringing your joyful, loving spirit into my life and for all of the mustache kisses. Rest in peace.

I will always be grateful for the support and advice that will gave me when I joined the department in mid career.  He was wise, supportive, cheerful and always worked for the greater good.  The world could use a few more Will Saams.

Frank De Lucia

I will never forget the loving, devoted way Will cared for his wife Margy after her stroke.  It happened in our exercise class and he got there even before the squad did to comfort her, support her and watch over her.  And he continued to do so for the next nine months as her health continued to have so many setbacks.

But he had a zest for life and I was happy to see that he kept that and eventually moved on to have another happy life traveling with his next wife Nora.  He was someone I admired and liked very much...just from seeing how he loved and cared for Margy, and his family.  There aren't enough Wills in the world.  So we really treasure those that we have, and are privileged to know.

Nora, I don't know you.  But I wish you had had more time with Will.  And he with you.  Blessings.

Vivid Recollections was purchased for the family of William F. Saam.

I appreciated that Will never missed an opportunity to check up on me and my family, whether it was during accidental run-ins at Whole Foods, or in the hallway at work.

Will brought me to Ohio State, and I admired the way he led the Physics Department until he retired. His quiet humor will not be forgotten. We will miss you!

Dear Nora,
It breaks my heart that I must miss the memorial service for Will, my physics colleague for 50 years for medical reasons.
  
In the last few years many of us regularly saw Will at the periodic emeritus lunches, now Zoom sessions, where he will be remembered for his sly wit, dry humor, and lively company.  After I announced to that group that Will had died, there was an outpouring of tributes.  Let me give you some excerpts:
 
“His quiet thoughtful approach to everything made him a good friend and valuable colleague.” Jim Gaines

“I remember him as quiet, very friendly, and with a fine sense of humor.” David Tanner
“I . . . enjoyed his friendship and advice for nearly 50 years, as well as his collaboration on occasion.   He was an excellent, thoughtful physicist as well as a wise chairman.” David Stroud

“As a longtime friend and collaborator, I am very proud to have helped to recruit him to our physics department. He contributed a great deal to its development.  His intelligence, warm friendship and kindness will be sadly missed.” David Edwards
“I also always appreciated his good humor and sensible approach to all matters.” David Andereck

“Over the past 50 plus years he has been a friend and his joy for life and good humor will be sorely missed.” Stephen Pinsky

“Will came to Ohio State the same year I did, and throughout the years provide quiet and effective leadership. I know he will be missed.”  Jim Garland

Let us seek the common denominators here:  Quiet, thoughtful, effective, warm, intelligent, sensible, witty, humorous, a leader, a friend to be missed.  In a sentence, his quiet and thoughtful approach, leavened by a fine sense of humor, made him a warm friend and wise chairman who effectively led the development of the department.

Thus the thoughts of the emeritus faculty group, a crusty bunch not given to empty praise.

Our world is a sadder place without Will.  He will be missed.

Bill Palmer

OBITUARY

William F Saam

November 14, 1941 – July 18, 2020

Schoedinger Midtown

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services