Sitka cemetery caretaker Bob Sam honored after decades of quiet service

Bob Sam has spent decades maintaining Sitka's cemeteries. As he steps back from this work, First Lady Rose Dunleavy named him a recipient of the 2026 First Lady's Volunteer Award on May 12, 2026.

For many years, Sam has moved through Sitka's cemeteries with quiet purpose, restoring beauty and dignity to these sacred places without seeking recognition. His commitment to caring for cemeteries has transformed overgrown grounds into spaces of honor and remembrance for the families who cherish them.

Sam has served as cemetery caretaker in Sitka for over 30 years. He has also collaborated on repatriation of Alaska Native remains for three decades.

His service reflects a deep respect for Sitka's history and the ancestors who rest there. His decades of quiet dedication have left a lasting legacy on the community.

"Alaska is made stronger by the people who show up, not for recognition, but because they care deeply about their neighbors and their communities," First Lady Rose Dunleavy said.

The First Lady's Volunteer Award honors Alaskans who go above and beyond in service to their neighbors, embodying the spirit of community that defines the state.

Dunleavy announced seven Alaskans as 2026 recipients of the award. The other recipients are LeeAnna Chronister of Anchorage, Keeley Goward of North Pole, Lacie Kelly of Soldotna, Jamie Lytton of Eagle River, Theresa Rodgers of Eagle River, and Karen Royce of Sitka.