Generous CLU donor dies

Robert Samuelson

Robert Samuelson, one of the most generous donors in the history of California Lutheran University, died Sun., Feb. 17 of cancer. He was 81.

Samuelson contributed to building the campus from the beginning, including the Orville Dahl Centrum, Peters Hall, locker room additions, a number of residence halls, Samuelson Chapel, the Soiland Humanities Center and the Samuelson Aquatics Center.

Samuelson was honored for his service to the Board of Regents when he officially stepped down in 2004 after 19 years. He continued to support the university after his resignation.

Along with his services as a regent, he served as a convocator, a CLU Fellow and as a member of the New Dimensions Committee, the Chapel Steering Committee, the Chapel Interior Design Committee and the Property and Planning Committee.

The Samuelson family donated a large gift to the Athletics Complex in 2003. The gift not only created momentum for the university's capital campaign but also enabled CLU to launch its first competitive water sports programs in swimming, diving and water polo.

A longtime resident of La Canada-Flintridge, Samuelson is survived by his wife, four children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his brother and sister-in-law.

A memorial service was held yesterday, Wed., Feb. 27 at the Lutheran Church of the Foothills in La Canada.