Sam H. and Janet E. Riechers

Sam Riechers was born and lived in Southern Wisconsin. He enjoyed many years on his family farm until he enrolled in college. Same graduated in 1974 in 3 1/2 years with high honors from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He earned a BS in chemistry along with a double minors in physics and biology. Sam met his wife Janet in the Spring of 1974 at the state IVCF conference being held in Lake Geneva.

Sam was hired by Magma Copper Co. after they had posted available jobs at campus. He worked in management and as an analytical chemist. During his years at Magma he concentrated on making their copper produce 99.9% pure. Sam and Janet raised their two sons, Matthew and Aaron in Tucson, Arizona.

He returned to the University of Arizona and obtained certifications in industrial statistical process and quality control. Sam served as a volunteer hospital chaplain at Northwest Medical Center in Tucson for 18 years. Sam also donated whole blood and platelets to the American Red Cross for 52 years. Sam was happiest when working on a project building something special with his hands that he knew would be useful to others. He believed that furthering one’s education was so important. The scholarships offered through this scholarship will carry on his beliefs and request.