Todd Justin Sampson

Todd Justin Sampson of Sisters died on Monday, August 6, in a drowning accident on the Deschutes River. He was 26.

Born in Seattle, Todd spent his early years in Redmond, Washington, before moving to Banks in 1992. The family relocated in 1988 to the Charlotte, North Carolina area where he graduated with honors from Fort Mill High School in 2000.

Todd attended the University of Colorado for two years, where he played on the baseball team and was a member of Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity. Since 2005 he studied Aviation Science at COCC and was to receive his CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) in September of this year.

Todd was employed by Professional Air at the Bend Airport and was a snowboard coach at Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation and previously at Hoodoo Ski Area.

Todd loved flying, snowboarding (in which he described himself as "mildly obsessive"), mountain climbing, wakeboarding or anything with a board or the outdoors.

He is survived by his parents, Keith and Janie Sampson of Sisters; brothers Bart and Jeff; grandparents Bill Moore and Bonnie Sampson; nine aunts and uncles; and 23 cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Carolyn Moore and Burgess Sampson.

A memorial service was held for Todd on August 11. Donations may be made in his memory to the Todd Justin Sampson Foundation, P.O. Box 1074, Sisters, OR 97759.