Todd Spake
Just like Chris, Sam was my boss when I was a teenager at good ole' Hobbies for Dad and Lad. Sam was a great businessman and taught me countless lessons that I try to carry with me today. I will always remember his dry wit and keen eye for business. Sam was a very kind man that cared for his employees. I can still hear him saying "hey guy" with that big smile of his every time one of his employees came through the door. I also remember the time a customer said "Sam what is your hobby." Sam said with a straight face, "I don't use any of this stuff, I just sell it." And sell it he did. I remember him rushing to the hobby warehouse dealer to get every stealth fighter kit that came out when he saw the model mentioned on the news. He was never afraid to order a huge supply of a hot item. Sam also taught me to hush up when the sale was complete. Today, when I go to a store and hear a sales person bugging a customer about why they are making a certain purchase my skin crawls--they already have the sale, and it is time to hush up! Sam was also a big proponent of the customer is always right--but never at the expense of his employees. Sam respected all of his employees, and stood behind us, even when we were goofy and annoying teenagers. Sam always treated us like equals. I am so thankful that I was able to be mentored by Sam, and able to call him friend. Todd Spake