Service Information
Curtis A. Sampson, age 87, of Hector, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at his home in Hector.
Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at 2:30 P.M. in the Canterbury Park Expo Center in Shakopee, Minnesota with a social hour to follow. Please park in the main lot and enter through the Expo Center.
First Post is at 5:00 P.M. and guests are welcome to stay for the race.
Obituary
Curtis Sampson compiled a long list of achievements during his 87 years as a businessman, philanthropist, community leader, and father. He saved horse racing in Minnesota with his purchase of Canterbury Park. He built a string of multimillion-dollar businesses in his hometown of Hector, and he was a tireless volunteer for causes he cherished.
But that’s not what made him truly unforgettable. Curt, who passed away peacefully July 16 at his home in Hector, will be remembered for the joy he found in connecting with people throughout his life. Whether you worked in the boardroom at Communications Systems, Inc., or in the barn at Canterbury Park, you could always count on a warm greeting and heartfelt conversation from a man whose success was built with a smile.
Born to Selmer and Sophie Sampson on July 6, 1933, Curt was the 8th of 10 children. He graduated from Hector High School in 1951 and the University of Minnesota in 1955. He married Marian Walter in Buffalo Lake in 1954 and they had four children; Sons, Paul (Karen), Randy (Susan) and Russ (Donnelle), Daughter, Susan Puchalski (Corey).
After honing his business acumen at the U of M’s Carlson School of Management, he took a public accounting job in Minneapolis. That lasted just three months. A small-town guy at heart, Curt returned to Hector to work for the phone company and would live there for the rest of his life. He rose through the ranks of the finance department at Minnesota Central Telephone and Midwest Telephone Company, then founded Communications Systems, Inc., in 1969. Curt spent more than 50 years in the telecommunications industry, later forming North American Communications Corporation and Hector Communications Corporation.
It was a fitting career path for a man who loved to make connections with people from all walks of life. Curt knew all the movers and shakers in the business world, but he also knew the names of every employee at CSI. His circle of acquaintances grew much larger at Canterbury Park, which he bought out of bankruptcy in 1994 with his son Randy and business partner Dale Schenian.
The Sampson family started racing and breeding horses in the 1980s when the track—then Canterbury Downs—brought pari-mutuel racing to Minnesota. It shut down in 1992, leaving the state’s racing industry on the brink of collapse. Curt risked a significant chunk of his wealth to finance the purchase from Irwin Jacobs, giving the track new life as Canterbury Park.
Racing wasn’t just another business to Curt, who genuinely loved the sport, the horses, and the people around them. As chairman of the board, his personality and business philosophy helped guide Canterbury toward long-term stability. With Curt and Randy working side-by-side, the track earned a national reputation for its lively crowds, family-friendly atmosphere, and cooperation between management and horsemen.
Canterbury also provided a new outlet for Curt’s gregarious nature. If he wasn’t in the winner’s circle with the family horses, he was working the grandstand, making sure every guest was having a good time.
Curt’s ability to connect on a professional and personal level further strengthened Minnesota racing in 2012. The relationship he developed with Stanley Crooks, the late chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, helped pave the way for a decade-long partnership with SMSC that increased the purses available to the state’s horse owners. Curt honored Crooks by naming one of his thoroughbreds after him, and Chairman Crooks turned out to be Curt’s all-time favorite horse.
A multi-sport athlete in his youth, Curt’s sturdy pitching arm kept him in baseball for decades. He played many years with his town team, the Hector Flyers, and began attending Twins fantasy camps in his late 50s.
Curt baffled batters with his screwball and slider for another 25 years as he competed on the fantasy camp diamond with his sons and grandsons as teammates. When he was 77, he gave up just one hit over 4 2/3 innings at an exhibition game in Fairfax, facing a lineup that included former Twins Corey Koskie and Terry Steinbach. At the Twins fantasy camp in 2014, Curt, then 81, won the Cy Young Award for pitchers over age 50.
Curt also got his pilot’s license when he was 74, fulfilling a longtime passion for flying.
As a father and grandfather, Curt enthusiastically attended youth sports events and served as a Boy Scout leader. He was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, grandsons, and extended family. He was a conservationist, buying and preserving over 1,000 acres of natural habitat for generations to come. Curt was inducted into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame in 2012 and was named Mn Small Business Person of the year in 1978. He served with several businesses, civic and educational organizations, including the University of Minnesota Foundation, the Carlson School board of advisors, the Augsburg College board of regents, the Hector Kiwanis Club, and several telephone industry boards.
Curt will be missed by his family, friends, business associates, and patrons at Canterbury Park, who always delighted in chatting with “the boss.’’
Curtis is survived by his:
Wife, Marian Sampson of Hector, MN;
Children, Paul Sampson and his wife, Karen, of Onalaska, WI,
Randall Sampson and his wife, Susan, of Chanhassen, MN,
Russell Sampson and his wife, Donnelle, of Prior Lake, MN,
Susan Puchalski and her husband, Corey, of Richfield, MN;
Grandchildren, Reene Sampson and her husband, Jay Haskell, of Onalaska, WI,
Matthew Sampson and his wife, Jenna, of La Crosse, WI,
Joseph Sampson and his wife, Sara, of La Crosse, WI,
Rachel Gregor and her husband, Marty, of Young America, MN,
Taylor Sampson and his wife, Georgia, of Shakopee, MN,
Adam Sampson of Minneapolis, MN,
Jack Sampson of Shakopee, MN,
Sophia Sampson and her fiancée, Thomas Sievers, of Prior Lake, MN,
Luke Puchalski and his wife, Jessica, of Minneapolis, MN,
Alaina Owen and her husband, Joshua, of Van Buren, AR,
Joshua Puchalski of Richfield, MN;
Great-Grandchildren, Moe Haskell, Elliot Sampson, Isla Sampson, June Sampson, Harrison Gregor, Ruth Sampson, Mabel Sampson, Henrik Puchalski;
Sister, Ruth Naomi (Sampson) Stormo;
Curtis is preceded in death by his Parents, Selmer and Sophie Sampson; Siblings, Alden Roland Sampson, Selvin Everett Sampson, Mavis Geraldine (Sampson) Layman, Alta Anetha (Sampson) Nelson, Ellsworth Bernard Sampson, Wayne Emmet Sampson, Marjorie Ann (Sampson) Cooper, Maureen Carolyn (Sampson) Kohout.
Neal Torbert says
My thoughts and prayers to all of the Curt Sampson family.
Vicki Sutherland says
My sincere condolences to the Sampson family! Curt is now an angel in heaven watching over all of you!
Celeste Gibson says
What a dynamo! Curtis was an inspiration to all who knew him even like ourselves. My brother, Hub Nelson, spoke of Curtis often and in glowing terms. Curtis contributed to the betterment of many especially in his beloved Hector.
May your many wonderful memories provide comfort at this time of your profound grief.
Celeste (Nelson) and Jim Gibson
Fr. Stan Mader says
Paul, Russ, Randy and all the Sampson clan, my sympathies to you. Curt was so able at so many things, as a businessman, ball player, innovator. I appreciated his loyalty to his home town and also how open he was to helping any group that was important to him or his family. He was always kind to me as well. Please know of my thoughts and prayers. Just a few days ago I rediscovered some photos from my early years at the Twins Fantasy Camp, and there was Curt. I loved that he pitched a (2-hit?) shutout there after he turned 80.
Alan Roebke says
The local boy that made it big for himself and the community of Hector which he loved. Small town gems like Curtis are rare and the special memories and benefits he delivered time again are huge! It was a true pleasure to know Curtis Sampson as a Friend…..Thanks….Alan Roebke
S.R. Johnson says
It was probably 50 years ago that I got to know Curt in the political hustings of the Renville County Republicans and later as a fellow member of the Masonic Fraternity. Curt and I were also members of the Herb Nelson lutefisk club. He was a a class man, Mason, Dad and businessman who I am honored to have counted as a friend and Brother.
My condolences to the Sampson family.
Steven R. Johnson
Past Grand Master 2007
http://www.mn-masons.org
Melvyn (Mel) Albiston says
Curt was a caring man with many diverse interests. The first time I met Curt he made me feel we had been close friends for years. I will never forget receiving a phone call from Curt while at the Sturgis motorcycle rally asking if he could share my room. We had recently met, and I was surprised how quickly Curt could include you in his world. Curt will always occupy a special place in my memories.
I am great full for having the opportunity to know Curt.
Gary N. Scholla says
To the family of Curt Sampson —— I have known Curt for several years. I grew up on a farm North of Hector and graduated in 1961. For some reason I can recall those days when Curt was in High School at Hector. What I do recall is the fact Curt was a talented athlete. I understand Curt would take several friends and relatives to the ” Twins Fantasy Camp” which is an annual occurence at Fort Meyers, Florida. Two years ago, during the Corn Days at Hector, my brother Larry and myself were standing on the North edge of the Community Park. We were watching the parade go by and all of sudden Larry and I saw Curt walking along with the Parade. We stopped Curt to say “Hi” and Curt recognized both of us right away. On a similar note, I was talking to my youngest brother Steve who graduated in 1976 from Hector. Steve told me just the other day that when he crossed Curt’s path, he would usually ask how “the older Scholla’s are doing?” Losing a “loved one” is emotionally
difficult! It is my hope and prayers that the family of Curt can “celebrate” the life of Curt Sampson!
May God’s love, comfort and strength be with Curt’s family and friends! Do take care and may God Bless!!
Brad Johnson says
Prayers and my deepest regrets to the family of Curt Sampson.
He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
Fairfax Baseball Association says
Our thoughts are with the Sampson family during this difficult time. His passion for baseball was evident in his support of Twins Night in Fairfax for which we were truly thankful for and was enjoyed by so many.
Lindy Swanson says
My condolences to the whole Sampson family. Rest in peace uncle Curt. I always admired you!
Dale and Jody Walter says
Marion, Paul, Randy, Russ, Sue and families, our deepest sympathy in Curt’s passing. Our prayer is that your faith and the fond memories of Curt’s life sustain you now and in the future. Blessings —
Minh and Laura Thai and Family says
Our condolences to the Sampson family. We are forever grateful for what Curtis and you have done for the Thai family which started over 40 years ago. Who knew the small town of Hector, led by Curtis would provide so much love, support and guidance to the young Vietnamese refugees. Forever indebted for your kindness and generosity. Rest in Peace Curtis.
-Minh, Laura, Mark, John and Kathy Thai and Families
Robert Olson says
Truly spectacular list of accomplishments, and, he was a genuine person. I feel lucky to have spent some time with him.
Shannon Thein says
Our heartfelt sympathies to the whole Sampson Family and all who loved and cared about Curt. I will never forget his story of how he gave my grandma wind surfing lessons out at Green Lake when she was 75, must have been quite the site! He always had a warm smile and a kind word. One of a kind!
Holly Wendler says
The line about Curt having a heartfelt conversation with you whether you worked in the Boardroom or the barns truly summed up this great man. I’ll never forget the time the Chairman of the Board popped into my office and we had a 30 minute conversation about business and life. That just doesn’t happen in other companies. I think I learned a few things from him about valuing people. He will be missed.
Todd Trenasty says
I had the pleasure to meet Curt and spend some time with him around CSI. He always greeted you with a great smile and asked how you were doing. He was a great man and glad I had the pleasure to meet him.
Rick & Darla Harrier says
This is from my husband Rick Harrier written by his wife Darla Harrier.
To the Samson Family: Sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. Curt was someone that Rick always looked up to when he was a kid growing up. Rick says that when Curt tried to teach him how to play golf, the game was never #1 on Rick’s list to play. Sorry for your loss!!
Fritz says
Curt had time for everybody. So much fun and such a caring guy.
DeEtta (Buzz) Nelson. says
Remembering Curt on the oak dale golf course. It is said “ golf is a gentleman’s game “and Curt always fit that profile. Rest In Peace.