Samuel Hummel

HUMMEL, Samuel David

Kalamazoo

Sam passed away tragically on Monday, March 11, 2024. He was born on May 21, 1991, the

much loved son of Guy Hummel and Karen (Reist) Blaesser. He graduated #1 in his class from

Comstock High School in 2009, where he competed in Cross Country, Basketball, and Track.

Sam loved sports. He ran his first half-marathon at 15 and his first full marathon at 16.

After graduating high school, Sam attended Grand Valley State University for a year, then spent

a year at College of the Desert in Palm Springs, CA where he competed on the Cross Country

team. After that, he returned to Grand Valley, graduating Cum Laude, earning his Bachelor’s of

Business Administration in Management in 2014.

While in California, Sam started competing in triathlons, often placing in the top three in his age

group. He increased the distance each race, eventually completing a full IronMan in Coeur

d’Alene, Idaho in 2012. His love of sports continued throughout his life. Most recently he

enjoyed playing volleyball in social leagues and working out at the gym.

Sam worked as Senior Supply Chain Engineer, North American Operations, for Benteler

Automotive Corporation in Grand Rapids.

Sam is survived by his parents, Guy (Christy) Hummel and Karen (Mark) Blaesser, and

numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Preceding him in death are his beloved grandparents,

Robert Jay and Nellie (Willis) Reist, great grandmother Niomia Hummel and grandfather William

Hummel.

In accordance with Sam’s wishes, no formal funeral service is being held. His family is planning

a private celebration of his life in the near future. We encourage his many friends to gather and

celebrate his life in your own way.

In honor of Sam’s deep love of animals, memorial contributions may be directed to the SPCA, or

other local animal shelter.

The loss of Sam leaves a hole in our family and in our hearts that will never be filled.