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Sam Proctor, founder of Jewish Studies at the University of Florida, a founder of the Southern Jewish Historical Society, and one of the foremost historians of the State of Florida passed away at the age of 86. He leaves behind a great legacy: pages of scholarship, thousands of students whom he inspired, and institutions that will long outlast him. With thanks to the American Jewish History Discussion Group, I reprint a memorial to Prof. Proctor penned by Prof Mark Greenberg, one of his last Ph.D. students: "It is with great sadness that I share news of the death of Sam Proctor. He died peacefully at is home in Gainesville at age 86. Many of you had the privilege of knowing this dean of Florida historians. Born in 1919 in Jacksonville, he attended the University of Florida in the 1930s and completed an M.A. on Florida Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward before joining the service in World War II. Sam had intended to become a lawyer but an opportunity to teach temporarily at UF in 1946 led to a career of more than 50 years at the institution. He wrote the history of the university for his dissertation, edited The Florida Historical Quarterly for over thirty years, and started UF's Oral History Program,among but a few of his accomplishments. He retired officially in 1996 as a distinguished service professor, but was never far from campus. He came regularly to his office in the oral history program, which was named for him. When his health deteriorated in June 2003 and he was in and out of the hospital, people visited visited regularly so he could keep up with his beloved university and its programs. "I met Dr. Proctor in 1990 by complete accident. I was assigned as his research assistant in the Fall 1990 when I began Ph.D. work at UF. Within just months, I knew he would be my dissertation advisory and mentor. I worked with him in the Oral History Program and Florida Historical Quarterly. He guided my dissertation, and I had the privilege of being a guest in his home. Sam was the most gentle, caring, sweet, and giving person I have known. Both he and Bessie were like grandparents to me and my wife Kathy. In fact, I met Kathy at The Florida Historical Quarterly office. "Since graduating from UF in 1997 I had the opportunity to stay in close contact with the Proctors. I saw them regularly at conferences while living in Mississippi and got to Gainesville often when my family and I moved to Tampa in late 2001. Sam hated being in the hospital but had such a positive outlook on things, nonetheless. When I visited him he never failed to ask about me, my parents, my sister, my family, and our shared friends and acquaintances. Sam had many students over his long career. Once a student of Sam's, always a friend, he believed. He cared deeply about people and wanted the best for them. "I got to speak with Sam's son Alan yesterday. He told me that the family had all gathered to say their goodbyes. Sam was slipping in and out of consciousness. During a lucid moment, he opened his eyes, looked up, and smiled. "Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy," he told them. "Alan informed me that Sam will be buried in Atlanta this week. A memorial service is planned in Gainesville in September." H-Judaic extends condolences to Prof. Proctor's wife, Bessie, his sons, and his granddaughters. Jonathan D. Sarna Chair, H-Judaic
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