CHICAGOAN, MDA LEADER ROBERT G. SAMPSON DIES

TUCSON, Ariz., December 4, 2006 - Prominent in past years as a Chicago businessman, civic leader and Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) board member, Robert G. Sampson died on Dec. 3 at age 81 at his home in Arlington Heights, IL.

Affected with muscular dystrophy at age five and requiring a wheelchair by the time he was seven, Sampson persevered in pursuing his education and excelling as a scholar. He put himself through Loyola University and DePaul Law School working nights as a hotel clerk and switchboard operator.

Sampson worked eight years for the city of Chicago's law department and then was offered a position as an attorney with United Airlines. He moved up to become a vice president and eventually special assistant to the company's chairman.

Renowned for his efforts in behalf of Chicago's inner-city children, Sampson also was recognized as a national leader in efforts to increase opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities. He served as a board member and director emeritus for MDA from 1974 to 1993 and participated in many Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethons. He also served as vice chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Sampson received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from DePaul University, the Federal Aviation Administration's Distinguished Service Award, the William A. Patterson Award (United Airlines' highest honor) and the Horatio Alger Award for outstanding Americans who pull themselves up by their bootstraps. In 1984, MDA established the Robert G. Sampson Neuromuscular Disease Research Fellowship, and in 1992 the Bob Sampson Disability Awareness Award.

MDA is a national voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.