Samuel Bernard Solter
Samuel Bernard Solter passed away on May 4, 2016, just a few weeks before his 96th birthday. Beloved by family and friends, he was an accomplished fine artist and able woodworker. Sam was born on May 30, 1920 on a farm near Kerhonkson, New York, the third surviving child of Harry Solomiansky and Sadie (née Maskin), Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. At age ten he moved with his family to Los Angeles, where his parents opened a grocery store and his father also worked as a carpenter.
In 1942, he married the love of his life, Marie Fine. During World War II, the couple lived in Herington, Kansas, where Sam served as a sergeant in the Army Air Corps. His job was to type the secret orders given in sealed envelopes to B-29 pilots heading for the Pacific.
Sam discovered a love of painting as a child, and, using the GI Bill, attended the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. His varied careers included a hand-painted tie business, work as an architectural illustrator and model builder, and a family pearl business at county fairs. In 1980 he and Marie moved to Santa Barbara to help their son, Ken, run a successful stained glass business for twenty years. Their original stained glass windows beautify many homes in the Santa Barbara area and the chapel at Samarkand.
Until the end of his life, he maintained a keen interest in politics, world affairs, and the arts, continually educating himself by reading. An avid stamp collector, he enjoyed both the cultural and artistic aspects of his extensive stamp collection. He and Marie volunteered for many years at what is now the William Sansum Diabetes Center. After Marie’s death in 2006, he enjoyed taking classes in silver jewelry making, and he created many lovely silver pendants, which he generously gave to friends and family.
He is survived by his sister, Vivian Tew, his son, Ken Solter (wife Aletha), his daughter, Nancy Amodeo (husband Tony), his grandchildren, Nicholas Solter (wife Sonja) and Sarah Solter (husband Aaron), his great-grandchildren, Kai and Katja, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank all of Sam’s wonderful caregivers, the Assisted Hospice team, and the friends who lovingly helped him in so many ways during his last few years when he struggled with multiple disabilities. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice. The family can be reached at P.O. Box 1281, Goleta, CA 93116.