Dr. Sam Assam, respected neurosurgeon, has died. He was 84. Dr. Assam passed away at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 with his wife and family at his side, as a result of advanced dementia and pneumonia. Born November 19, 1930 in Sioux Falls to Hamad and Helen Assam, Dr. Assam was one of seven siblings. He attended Mark Twain Elementary and graduated from Washington High School, going on to attend the University of Minnesota for both his undergraduate and medical school degrees. His enormous drive and intelligence resulted in Dr. Assam receiving a Phi-Beta Kappa key in his junior year at UM; highly unusual as this award is normally given after the senior year. Dr. Assam went on to intern at Philadelphia General Hospital and completed his neurosurgical residency at Indiana University. As a medical resident, Dr. Assam participated in the Berry Plan, which required him to join the Navy for two years of service after completing his studies. He served nearly three years at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, where he was Chief of Neurosurgery when his tenure ended. Enjoying the west coast climate and his friendships in San Diego, Dr. Assam founded Neurosurgical Medical Clinic in 1963, establishing himself on the staff of every hospital in town. He also met and married Norma Mandrell during this time and together they raised five children. Dr. Assam felt a particular drive to assure that quality care was available throughout the county, especially at hospitals that were underserved. Additionally, as Chief of Neurosurgery at Mercy Hospital he developed specialized training for nursing staff that would give them the specific skills needed for spine and brain trauma, surgery and treatment. In 1980 Dr. Assam moved his family to his home town of Sioux Falls, where he practiced medicine at McKennan/Avera, the VA, and Sioux Valley/Sanford hospitals. He was the first professor of Neurosurgery at the University of South Dakota Medical School. In 1984, Dr. Assam returned with his family to San Diego to resume his primary practice. Fond of giving unusual nicknames to friends and family, Dr. Assam loved South Dakota and was frequently drawn back to spend time with his many longtime friends and colleagues while enjoying golfing, hunting, fishing, cooking, and eating with them and his brothers and sisters, their spouses and children, and especially his sons. He loved a day on the golf course with his golf buddies or children, and with his wife at his side, was a passable doubles tennis player as well. He loved the beaches of Coronado, CA and Kona, Hawaii, where he spent many wonderful days with his family over the years. Above all however, Dr. Assam was a beloved, respected and skilled neurosurgeon of the old school, who always did his very best for his patients and their families. Dr. Assam is survived by his wife of 45 years, Norma Mandrell Assam, of Sioux Falls; son Eric (Jacquelin) of Orlando FL; daughter Leesie (Paul Van Roon) of San Diego, CA; son Richard (Alana) of Shasta Trinity Nat'l Forest, CA; and sons Michael (Melissa Dean), and Brian, both of Sioux Falls. He is also survived by his grandsons Willem, Samuel, and Orion and great-grandson, Nathan. Dr. Assam was predeceased by his parents Hamad and Helen Assam; his brothers Moneer, Fred and Richard; his sisters Mary Nasser, Bonnie Luke and Judy Thompson; as well as his much loved dog, Pugsli. Memorial services will begin 11:00 am Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Miller West Funeral Chapel. Private interment will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm Friday, January 30th at Miller West Funeral Chapel. The family requests that memorials be directed to the Dougherty Hospice House in Memory of Sam, and may be sent to the Avera McKennan Foundation, PO Box 5045, Sioux Falls, SD 57117.