Samuel Lansing, 62, of Alpena, passed away Monday, April 9, 2018, peacefully at home following a long, hard battle with cancer.

Visitation was Friday, April 13, at Basham Funeral Home in Woonsocket. A tribute was planned for Sam at the Red Hog in Alpena on Saturday evening, April 14.

Samuel was born July 31, 1955, and was raised in Webster, N.Y. He attended the Community College of the Finger Lakes with the intent to be a conservation officer, but following a course in taxidermy, decided that was his passion. He had his own business for almost 40 years, winning countless awards both in New York and nationally.

He worked with many of the non-profit organizations dedicated to wildlife, and enjoyed introducing kids to hunting and preservation. He had a way with dogs, raising thousands of pheasants and quail for their training.

Samuel fell in love with South Dakota when he first visited in the early 80s, and said he would move here some day. In 2014, Sam and Sue arrived in Alpena and could not have picked a better community.

Samuel is survived by his wife, Susan (Pierce), and his hunting companions, Woodstock, One Way and Harley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Elizabeth (Baxter) Lansing.