Remembering Professor Joel Samaha

It is with sadness and deep gratitude that we remember the life and legacy of Professor Joel Samaha, who passed away peacefully at his home in Minnetonka, Minnesota, on December 16, 2024, at the age of 88. Joel’s passing marks the end of an era for those of us who had the privilege of learning from him, working alongside him, and calling him a friend. His influence, however, will resonate far beyond the classroom. His contributions to the study of criminal justice, his mentorship, and his unwavering commitment to intellectual curiosity will remain a guiding light for generations to come.

Born on May 28, 1936, in Lorain, Ohio, to Mildred, of German descent, and George Samaha, an immigrant from Lebanon, Joel’s early life was shaped by the values of hard work, resilience, and an unyielding curiosity about the world. After earning four degrees at Northwestern University, including a PhD in history, Joel embarked on a remarkable journey as an educator and scholar. His research on criminal justice records in Essex, England, under the guidance of Sir Geoffrey Elton at Cambridge University, revealed his passion for social history and his belief that the lives of the "ordinary" were just as worthy of study as those of the powerful.

Joel’s career as an educator was marked by innovation and dedication. In 1971, he joined the University of Minnesota (landing first at the Department of History and then followed by the Department of Sociology), where he would spend more than 50 years shaping the minds of thousands of students. His passion for teaching was infectious, and his approach was both rigorous and compassionate. As Professor Elizabeth Heger Boyle recalls, "When I was Chair (Department of Sociology), I got lots of spontaneous emails from students telling me how much they were enjoying Joel's classes. He was a treasure."

His influence extended beyond the classroom, having helped to establish the university's criminal justice studies department and chairing it from 1974 to 1978. He also excelled at challenging students to question their assumptions and engage in meaningful debates. Professor Joachim Savelsberg captures this well: "Joel was a master in the Socratic Method, engaging even large lecture classes in engaged and focused disputes. We can best honor him by learning from him."

Joel was not only a brilliant scholar but also an advocate for critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning. His textbooks, including Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, became essential reading in colleges across the country. He wrote his first textbook on legal pads with a typewriter and later embraced new technologies to continue reaching students in innovative ways. Living with dystonia, a rare neurological condition, Joel never stopped pursuing his passions, including teaching, writing, and continually evolving in his approach to both scholarship and life.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Joel's life was filled with other pursuits that reflected his many interests. He was an accomplished breeder and international judge of Irish Wolfhounds, a passion that led him to write The New Complete Irish Wolfhound, a book that has become a key resource for enthusiasts of the breed. His love for animals were as much a part of his character as his scholarly achievements.

Joel’s kindness and generosity of spirit were apparent to all who knew him. As Professor Ann Meier remembers, “I know students cherished him as a professor. How lucky for us to call him a colleague!” His dedication to his students, his colleagues, and his family was evident in everything he did. He was deeply loved by his two sons, Adam and Luke, his four grandchildren (Ariana, Oscar, Laurel, and Brooke), his two great-grandchildren (Stella and Julius), and his many friends and colleagues. He is also survived by his former spouse, Jennifer, and his siblings, George William Samaha and Ann Samaha. He was preceded in death by his parents (George and Mildred) and a sister (Joan Blackburn).

Joel’s intellectual humility, warmth, and ability to challenge assumptions made him not just a remarkable professor, but a beloved mentor and friend. His legacy is carried forward by the thousands of students, colleagues, and professionals in the criminal justice field who were inspired by his teachings and who will continue to learn from his example.

We will miss Joel’s sharp intellect, his wit, his warmth, and his unwavering commitment to the values of justice and fairness. We are also grateful for the gift of his wisdom and the enduring example he set of living a life of curiosity, compassion, and integrity. May we honor his memory by continuing to question, learn, and grow, just as Joel taught us to do so many times in his classroom.

To send flowers to the family of Joel Samaha, please visit the Tribute Store. In lieu of flowers, well-wishers may send donations in Joel's memory to charities of their choice.