He was born on July 30, 1929 in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1953, he entered the Army and was stationed in Germany and served 3 tours overseas in Vietnam, later becoming the Deputy Comptroller for the US Army Reserves Components Personnel and Administration. While there he was the driving force in the introduction of shrink-wrap for supplies and storage. After 4 years of high school in the National Guard and 23 years of active duty, Sam retired in 1976 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Sam earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Masters in Business and his Doctorate in Business Administration. He taught at the University of Hawaii; was appointed or served on many committees and organizations including:
The Advisory Committee to the US Veterans Administration on Native American Veterans, Goodwill Industries Executive Board, National Federation of Business and Professional Women - being the first male member in Hawaii; The National Military Officers Association of America - helping found additional chapters, The Hawaii State Housing Functional Plan Advisory Committee and The Hawaii State Health Functional Plan Advisory Committee.
Interests included rifle marksmanship where he was on the Presidents 100, raising lop-eared rabbits for teachers, and gardening.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sandi Rosenberry Apuna; from his first marriage; sons, Samuel III and wife Jamie of Nuuanu Valley, HI, John and wife Darlene of Eva Beach, HI; daughters Melanie Denny and husband John of Peoria, AZ, Melissa Apuna of Kaneohe, HI, and Michelle Apuna of St. Louis, MO along with 11 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by one infant daughter, Madeline A. Apuna.
Services will be Thursday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Melcher Mortuary, 6625 E. Main St, Mesa, AZ 85205. A second service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, HI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Phoenix Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 63005, Phoenix, AZ 85082.
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