Dr. Samuel M. Sefton

Dr. Samuel “Sam” Martin Sefton, 83, of Richland, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2023, in his home surrounded by his children Debbie, Sammy, Michael, and David, with Thursday Night Football in the background – just the way he would have wanted.

Sam was born on April 7, 1940, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Kenneth and Marie (Manning) Sefton. He grew up in Fort Wayne and was a strong student and gifted athlete. He attended Northside High School in Fort Wayne where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Susie.

Sam and Susie married in Fort Wayne on August 17, 1958. They were blessed with over 60 years of marriage and a beautiful family.

Sam attended undergraduate and medical school at Indiana University. He then completed his medical residency and fellowship at the University of Michigan. He and his family became life-long Michigan fans.

Sam proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Army. He was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska along with Susie and their young children, Sammy and Debbie from 1967 to 1971 during the Viet Nam conflict.

Sam began his medical career as a pediatrician before starting the neonatal intensive care unit with his partners at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. The practice later expanded to Borgess Hospital and Sam spent more than a generation skillfully caring for premature infants in southwest Michigan.

Sports were one of Sam’s greatest passions. Since 1972, he held University of Michigan season tickets and rarely missed a home game. He loved to play board games with his grandchildren and was proud to attend their sporting events. He played football and basketball for his high school. He was also an avid and competitive tennis player.

Sam was a technology enthusiast and certainly an early adapter to the latest electronic devices. At 80 years old, he was the first in his family to own an electric vehicle. He could be quoted as saying “I want to know what people will drive when I’m gone.”

Above all, Sam greatest joy was being a caring husband, father, and grandfather. He loved the 4th of July and getting together at Gull Lake for the 4th was a beloved family tradition.

He enjoyed nothing more than a boat ride with his family on the lake, although sitting beachside with children and grandchildren on Singer Island in Florida was a close second. Neither of these places will be quite the same without him.

Sam is survived by his loving children Deborah (Scott) Reeves, Sam “Sammy” (Abby Neal) Sefton, Michael (Hilary) Sefton, and David Sefton; grandchildren Graham Sefton, Jackson (Kristen) Reeves, Sydnee Sefton, William Reeves, Benjamin Sefton, Luke Sefton, Madyson Sefton, Gabriel Sefton, Jack Sefton, and Charlotte Sefton; brother Richard “Uncle Dick” Sefton; and several nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Susie.

Memorial services for Sam will be a on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Langeland Family Funeral Home 3926 S. 9th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, and a memorial service will begin at 2:00 pm. A luncheon will be held at the funeral home following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Sam to the  West Michigan Cancer Center  . Please visit Sam’s memorial webpage to share memories and condolences with his family at  https://www.Langelands.com