2019 SSI Industry Hall of Famer Richard ‘Dick’ Sampson Dies at Age 87
Sampson boasted more than 50 years in the security industry, launching his company in his family home in 1971 before his sons took it over.
When he wasn't running his alarm business, Richard Sampson was an avid fisherman throughout his life. (Submitted photo)
WINCHESTER, Mass. — Richard Sampson, a 2019 SSI Industry Hall of Fame inductee and founder and chairman of American Alarm and Communications, died Friday, Dec. 13 at age 87, according to his obituary.
Sampson was “an entrepreneur, an industry leader, [and] a pillar of his church and community,” his obituary says. “Most importantly, Dick was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and trusted friend to many.”
Sampson taught Sunday school and held virtually all leadership and lay positions in First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Winchester, Mass., over more than 60 years as a congregant. He was selected to serve on the Finance Committee of The Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston in the 199os and also served as a trustee at Longyear Museum in Chestnut Hill, Mass., from 2008-2014.
He was an active member of the Winchester Rotary Club for more than 40 years, serving in many capacities, including president. Sampson “made the Rotary’s Four Way Test of the things we think, say or do the core values of his company and promulgated it widely, giving out hundreds of marble desktop plaques inscribed with the test to friends and colleagues,” according to his obituary.
Sampson was a Winchester Town Meeting member for 12 years and also served as the town’s civil defense director for several years, including during the Blizzard of 1978. He also was active as a Boy Scout leader during that era.
Why Dick Sampson Was a 2019 SSI Hall of Fame Member
In his 2019 SSI Industry Hall of Fame profile, Sampson shared the secrets of his success in the security industry.
“Learning to listen is one of the most important skills I learned early on,” he said. “By that I mean listening to customers, employees and colleagues, and being willing to respond to legitimate concerns and adapt good ideas wherever you find them.
“The biggest mistakes I have made came when I tried to overreach, tried to take on too much or make a big splash. We learned the hard way with an early acquisition, trying to buy a company nearly equal in size to our own,” Sampson told SSI.
“We had an aggressive banker practically throwing money at us and we took on too much debt,” he said. “Plus, the employees at the company we bought were very angry their owner had sold. That made things very difficult. Now, when we think about an acquisition, we do a lot more due diligence upfront and we are very conservative on the financials.”
In addition to his wife of 62 years, Betsy, Sampson is survived by his children Richard Sampson Jr. and wife Martha, Wells Sampson and wife Sarah, Louis Sampson and partner Tammy Johnson, Nancy Sayegh, Mary Sampson and wife Jade Cummings.
He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Beth Sampson, Sarah Sampson, Juli Sampson and partner James McGorty, Annie King, husband Andrew Hunter and daughter Phoebe, Lucy King and husband John Savino, Gracie Sampson, Anna Sampson, Claire Sampson, Austin Sayegh and wife Angie, Amanda Sayegh and husband Ibrahim Cicek, Christian Sayegh, Charlie Sayegh Jr., Ella Sampson and Kyle Sampson.
A celebration of Richard Sampson and his life is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 114 Church St., Winchester, Mass. A reception with light hors d’oeuvres will follow at Winchester Country Club, 468 Mystic St., Arlington, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Richard Sampson to the following organizations, or to the charity of your choice: Camps Newfound and Owatonna in Harrison, Maine; Longyear Museum in Chestnut Hill, Mass; and Rotary International.
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About the Author
D. Craig MacCormack, Digital Editor
Craig MacCormack is a veteran journalist who joined Security Sales & Integration in June 2023 as digital editor. He covered AV, IT and security with SSI's sister publication, Commercial Integrator, from January 2011 to June 2021.
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