Remembrances of Sam by AAJA Members:

I first met Sam in 1970 when I was hired at UPI Los Angeles. I remember switching on local TV after moving there and seeing an Asian reporter on the air. It was Sam. I just couldn’t believe it … an Asian American on television! Then, one day I went to a news conference and there he was, prancing into the room bigger than life. You know, Sam … when he came into a room, it was as if he owned it.  That’s when I first met him. Sam was THE pioneer, first Asian I believe who became a network correspondent, CBS news. I worked with him at KRON for a number of years later. But Sam was a good friend. I admired his aggressive pursuit of news stories and especially those that involved Asian Americans. Sam was one of the most ethical people I’ve met, someone with whom I could trust my life’s savings. A large part of that I believe came from his faith, Sam was a religious man and devoted father and husband. I will miss him. He really was a role model for me as a young reporter. His presence on air made me realize I too could become a TV reporter.

-Vic Lee, KGO-TV San Francisco

I too had the good fortune to call Sam a friend and fellow broadcaster.  I met Sam when I was working radio at KNBR-AM and he had been hired by KRON TV from CBS New York.  That must have been around the late 70's early 80's.  Sam had already blazed the trail...and I remember people telling me. . . that's Sam Chu Lin...he's big.  We used to run into each other on a regular basis since we covered mutual stories.  Even when he departed ways with KRON we always exchanged Christmas cards.  He would sometimes include pictures of his sons.  That exchange went on even to last Christmas.  I would read some of his articles and ran into him at the AAJA convention in San Francisco.  He always had a notepad or tape recorder.  He lived journalism and always had a story to tell.  I was saddened to hear about his passing on Mornings On 2, KTVU  Oakland.  They said he was a pioneer who championed Asian American accomplishments.  To tell you the truth I had no idea he was 67.  If you knew him, .he was always youthful about his passion for journalism.   Say a good night and good luck for Sam . . .he will be missed.

-Curtiss Kim, KFTY-Santa  Rosa

There will no doubt be countless tributes to Sam over the next few weeks.If you ever had the good fortune to meet or know Sam, you know he was there for you in good times and in bad. Whether you needed a voice of reason or just someone to listen to you, Sam made himself available. He cared deeply about his family, his community and the state of journalism.  We talked numerous times about the obstacles Asian American's faced in broadcast journalism and we celebrated often the numerous achievements of Asian Americans in television news. I especially enjoyed talking with Sam about the need for more Asian American men in broadcast journalism.  He was one of the first, and it hurt him that more men had not been afforded the opportunity to follow in his footsteps. The work that has been done to pave the way for others gave Sam hope for a better future. I know as we continue to applaud our accomplishments, Sam will be up there leading the cheers.

-Randall Yip, KGO-TV San Francisco