Obituary of Samuel Argetsinger

Samuel Williams Argetsinger, 62, died at his home overlooking Seneca Lake on Sunday, December 28, 2014. Sam was born in Ithaca, New York on August 20, 1952, to Jean S. Argetsinger and the late Cameron R. Argetsinger. Sam was raised on the land adjoining Tug Hollow Creek near Burdett, N.Y., in the old farm house where his grandfather, James Cameron Argetsinger I, was born in 1883 and his great grandfather L.W. Argetsinger first cultivated grapes. Sam eventually became the proud owner of the family farm, and accolades for his renowned Riesling grapes soon followed. Sam's middle name is derived from his paternal grandmother's family, early community leaders who settled here in the first decade of the 19th century and farmed much of the Skyline Drive territory. Prior to returning to his roots and restoring the family farm, Sam's early years on dairy farms in Maine and New York left a lasting impression on him. After moving back to upstate New York, Sam became a highly respected logger. Following one of his many public addresses regarding forest management, The New York Forest Owner newsletter remarked that "not a man or woman in the audience wouldn't have liked to hire Sam Argetsinger right on the spot to work in their woods. All were touched by his sensitivity to the emotions many landowners feel for their woodlot." Sam was a lifelong student of Native American history and culture and a deeply spiritual man. He studied and spoke the Seneca and Onondaga languages, and his forest and land management philosophy was influenced by Iroquois teachings. Sam was highly regarded for his knowledge of forest ecology, land management and Iroquois history. He was widely sought-after for his unique ability to translate this knowledge to students, landowners, policymakers and the communities in which he worked. Sam was a spellbinding public speaker who could hold audiences for hours. His stories, both original and folklore, and his exploits were the stuff of legend. He taught and applied the principles of environmental stewardship and took the long view in his approach to land and natural resource management. In November 2013, Sam concluded a four-year project, working with local and state government agencies and non-profit partners, to ensure that the ecology of his family's 75 acres of vineyards, creek and forest property will be protected from development and managed according to his high standards of environmental stewardship in perpetuity. As a recent Finger Lakes Land Trust Newsletter stated: "Walk around the vineyard with Sam, who is the fourth generation of his family to work the land, and you get a clear sense of the passion he brings to his role as land steward and caretaker." Sam is survived by his three children, Bree, of Denver, Colo., Beren, of Ithaca, N.Y., and Will, of Tokyo, Japan; their mother Susann Gary Argetsinger, of Whitefield, N.H.; his mother Jean, of Burdett, N.Y.; his beloved aunt Louise Sause of East Lansing, Mich.; and his dear friend, Jesi Turner, of Montour Falls, N.Y. He is also survived by his five brothers and three sisters: J.C. (Joan) of Montour Falls, Louise (Tom) Kanaley of Rochester, N.Y., Michael (Lee) of Chicago, Ill., Marya Smith of Elizabeth, Ill., Getchie (Kevin Potter) of New York, N.Y., Peter (Sjoukje) of Sebring, Fla., Robert of Illinois, and Philip of Phoenix, Ariz.; as well as his twelve nieces and nephews and seventeen great-nieces and nephews, all of whom adored him and many of whom he hosted at a wonderful party at his home on the day after Christmas. Sam graduated from Watkins Glen High School in 1970, where he was president of his class and an outstanding athlete and scholar. Always interested in history, especially of the Napoleonic era and of all things concerning nature and the environment, Sam was a wonderful writer. He attended Syracuse University where he met Susann, who described him as having the heart of a poet. He was much in demand for his essays, especially concerning forestry, grape growing, and Iroquois history and tradition. There was not a fellow human being who was not captivated by Sam's charm and willingness to help in any endeavor. Sam was larger than life, he touched the hearts and minds of many, and will be sorely missed by his family and friends. A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at St. Mary's of the Lake Church, 905 N. Decatur St., Watkins Glen, N.Y. The family will receive friends afterwards at the International Motor Racing Research Center, 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sam's name to the Finger Lakes Land Trust, with whom he worked closely to conserve his vineyards and the family's farm. Donations can be made at www.fllt.org, or 202 E Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850 (607)275-9487.